The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public against a viral social media video that appears to show beans being preserved using a white powdery substance believed to be cement.
In a statement, the FDA said the practice is not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation methods and is neither recommended nor endorsed by the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
A closer examination of the video revealed unsafe and unhygienic handling practices. According to the FDA, the chemicals were applied with bare hands, the person stood on the heap of beans without protective clothing, and the narration is in a non-Ghanaian language.
The Authority emphasized that such practices “compromise food safety and public health” and noted that “the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene practices, direct contact with food using bare hands, and lack of protective gear are all contrary to acceptable food safety standards.”
The FDA has urged farm produce aggregators and retailers to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation methods and encouraged consumers to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices for investigation.
The Chief Executive Officer of the FDA reiterated that the Authority “remains committed to safeguarding public health and safety, and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.”
Read below the statement
