The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned traders and consumers against using cement or other unapproved substances to preserve beans, warning that such practices pose serious food safety and public health risks.
The warning follows a video circulating on social media showing beans being treated with a white powdery substance believed to be cement. The video, according to the FDA, revealed multiple hygiene violations, including direct handling of the beans with bare hands and standing on the heap without protective clothing.
“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 said. The narration in the video, in a foreign language, also indicated improper handling of the produce.
In collaboration with the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the FDA urged traders, farmers, and food aggregators to avoid hazardous preservation techniques. Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious food handling practices for immediate investigation.
Dr. Kwaku Osei, Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to public health: “We remain committed to safeguarding public health and safety, and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.”
