The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with UNICEF, has released the National Summary Report on Heavy Metal Contaminant Assessment in selected food and cosmetic products on the Ghanaian market. The surveillance, conducted across all sixteen administrative regions, assessed levels of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Mercury (Hg) in turmeric, cereal mixes, bentonite clay (ayilor), kohl (“Kaji Kaji”), and skin-lightening creams/lotions.
The findings revealed high levels of heavy metal contamination in several selected products:
- Kohl: 77.97% failure rate for lead, with Upper East and Eastern regions recording 100% failure.
- Turmeric: 42.09% failure rate for lead, with Greater Accra and Central regions recording the highest level of contamination.
- Cereal Mixes: 29% failure rate for cadmium contamination, with North East, Western North, and Oti regions most affected.
- Bentonite Clay (Ayilor): 24.62% failure rate for lead, notably in North East and Greater Accra.
- Skin-lightening creams/lotions: 100% compliance, with no mercury contamination detected.
The report highlighted that unbranded products, particularly from open markets and retail shops, were the main sources of contamination. This raises serious public health concerns.
To safeguard consumers, the FDA has rolled out the following key measures:
- Developing new guidelines and tightening oversight for kohl products, including stronger port surveillance.
- Expanding safety checks for cereal mixes and initiated recalls of contaminated brands.
- Nationwide recalls of implicated turmeric products and stricter inspection of imports.
- Gathering information on the activities of bentonite clay producers to inform regulatory interventions while engaging them on safer practices.
- Rolling out public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of heavy metal exposure.
- Continuing with the annual monitoring of high-risk foods and cosmetics for sustained protection.
The FDA assures the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety of food and cosmetic products in Ghana through continuous surveillance, enforcement, and consumer education.
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