The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has suspended the manufacture of Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix with immediate effect.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, it stated that the FDA had already ordered a market recall of all canned Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix goods as well as certain batches of the product in pouches (the 380g and 1.05kg pouches)

According to the FDA, the suspension follows consumer complaints and the FDA’s investigation of NutriFoods Ghana Limited’s manufacturing plant, which revealed infractions regarding standards and quality. “Maintenance of critical manufacturing equipment was poor, and monitoring systems were inadequate to protect public health and safety,” it emphasised.

FDA noted that lapses at the manufacturing plant compromised the integrity of the canned products by affecting the sealing mechanisms, which led to contamination and bloating of the products in pouches. It also stated that mold was found on some of them, raising serious health and safety concerns, resulting in the suspension and product recall.

According to the statement, internal investigations have begun to determine whether there were regulatory errors in accordance with the FDA’s commitment to transparency and responsibility, especially because Nutrifoods was prohibited from producing the product earlier in January 2025.

 “Any dereliction of duty identified will be swiftly dealt with to strengthen the FDA’s regulatory oversight,” it added.

The Authority advised consumers, retailers, and wholesalers to take note of this directive and act accordingly. It added, “We will continue to exercise rigorous oversight per our mandate to protect public health and safety.”

Grace Acheampong, ISD