The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) stated on Monday that a viral video circulating on social media claims to show the preservation of beans using a white, powdery substance believed to be concrete cement.
According to the FDA, the practice portrayed in the said video was not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices. Adding that the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture does not recommend or endorse such.
“A close look at the video shows that the language spoken is not Ghanaian. A translation of the narration reveals unsafe and unhygienic handling practices of preservation,” it noted.
The FDA stated that chemicals were applied with bare hands without appropriate protective wear.
“The video also depicts someone standing on the heap of beans without any protective clothing,” it emphasised.
It said the FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health.
According to the FDA, the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene practices, direct contact with food using bare hands, and a lack of protective gear are all contrary to acceptable food safety standards.
It assured the public that practices depicted in the video are not encouraged in Ghana. It also stated that farm produce aggregators and retailers are advised to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation methods. It also urged consumers to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the Authority for the necessary investigations and sanctions.
The FDA indicated that it remains committed to safeguarding public health and safety and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
