FDA Destroys Large Quantities of Unwholesome Products in Cape Coast

The Central Regional Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has seized and destroyed unwholesome products including processed food items, cosmetics and drugs running into thousands of Ghana Cedis.

They were seized at various checkpoints, open markets, supermarkets and warehouses in the Region within the last 12 months.

They were disposed of and burnt at the Nkanfoa dumping site in the presence of officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, sanitary inspectors and the security agencies.

Mr John Odai-Tettey, Regional Head of the Authority in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the massive seizer followed intensified post market surveillance, unannounced inspections and investigations into product complaints by people.

He said some of them were unregistered and others had expired. There were also those that had been rendered unwholesome because of poor handling and storage.

Mr Odai-Tettey said the FDA was determined to ensure public safety by insisting that products met quality standards and appealed to consumers to be careful about the products they bought particularly canned foods.

He spoke of their determination to continue to remain vigilant to track down smugglers and stop them from flooding the markets with expired and poor quality products to protect the health of consumers.

“It is in their own interest to give up on the illegal activity,” he warned.

Nonetheless, he advised consumers to critically read the labels on food items, check the expiry date, batch number and legibility of the manufacturers and must not hesitate to come to the Board with products complaints for prompt action.

Again, he reminded consumers to properly examine products including drugs to satisfy themselves of the quality and the expiry date before buying.

They should not only refuse to patronize anything unwholesome but be bold to expose those dealing in such goods.

He cautioned those trading in illicit and banned goods to desist from the practice or face prosecution.

Source: GNA