The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued an urgent public health warning following the viral spread of a substance dubbed “Sukudai.”
Marketed primarily in the Kumasi Metropolis as a miraculous “heart-cleansing remedy,” the product has been found to contain chloroform, a toxic chemical no longer permitted for medicinal use.
The alarm was first raised after social media videos showed the substance corroding Styrofoam (polystyrene) plates a visual testament to its aggressive chemical properties.
While sellers claim Sukudai can “cleanse” the heart, laboratory analysis conducted by the FDA tells a much darker story.
The tests confirmed the presence of chloroform, a colorless liquid once used as a surgical anesthetic but now strictly banned in pharmaceuticals due to its high toxicity.
According to the FDA, ingesting or inhaling Sukudai poses severe, life-threatening risks, including significant liver and kidney damage.
It can lead to immediate breathing difficulties, as well as drowsiness, sedation, and loss of consciousness.
Chloroform is also a known carcinogen linked to cancer and death.
The Authority was blunt in its assessment: Sukudai is not registered and has no place in the Ghanaian market.
“Chloroform is no longer used as medicine or in the pharmaceutical industry due to its toxicity and serious health effects,” the FDA stated in its official release.
The FDA isn’t just issuing warnings; it’s taking action.
In a coordinated effort to sweep the markets of this dangerous tonic, the Authority is collaborating with National Security, the Ghana Police Service, and the media to educate the public and to arrest and prosecute anyone found distributing or selling Sukudai or any other unregistered health products.
The public is strongly advised to cease the use of this product immediately.
By 1960news.com
