The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has moved swiftly to reassure the public following the circulation of a disturbing social media video appearing to show beans being preserved with a white powdery substance suspected to be construction cement.
In an official statement released by the acting Chief Executive Officer, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Manso Opuni, the authority clarified that the practices depicted in the footage are not only unapproved but are entirely foreign to Ghanaian agricultural standards.
After a thorough technical analysis of the viral clip, the FDA highlighted several “red flags” that distinguish the footage from local food handling protocols.
A linguistic analysis of the narration confirms the language spoken is not indigenous to Ghana.
The individuals in the video are seen handling chemical substances with bare hands and standing directly on heaps of beans without footwear or protective clothing.
The use of unapproved powders whether cement or unidentified industrial chemicals is a direct violation of both international and local food safety standards.
In this vein, the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has joined the FDA in condemning the act. Both institutions emphasized that they do not recommend, endorse, or tolerate any preservation method that compromises public health.
”The use of unapproved substances and poor hygiene practices are contrary to acceptable food safety standards,” the FDA statement read.
“Such practices are not encouraged or practiced within the Ghanaian food supply chain.”
The FDA is urging farm produce aggregators, wholesalers, and retailers to strictly adhere to approved preservation methods to avoid facing heavy sanctions.
Furthermore, the Authority is calling on the general public to remain vigilant.
If you encounter any suspicious food handling or preservation methods in your local market, you are encouraged to report these activities immediately to the FDA for investigation.
The FDA concluded by reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet the highest safety and quality benchmarks.
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