THE MENACE OF UNREGISTERED PRODUCTS IN GHANA

The Food and Drugs Authority's (FDA) Eastern Regional office organized a public education program at Agartha market in Koforidua on February 16, 2021 to sensitise the public on the position of the Authority on food safety.

As part of the agenda for the program, officers from the region reiterated the FDA's stance on unregistered products and cautioned the public to desist from buying such products. According to Mr Andrew Adabo, a Senior Regulatory Officer, who led the team, the FDA cannot guarantee the safety and quality of unregistered products, which have a high possibility of posing serious health risk when consumed.

In view of that, he advised the public to ensure that products they consumed are safe by always checking for the expiry/best-before/use-by dates on pre-packaged foods, products without date markings should be totally avoided.
Mr Adabo further advised the public to avoid purchasing canned products that are dented, rusted or bloated. He added that product labels not written in the English language should not be patronised.

Speaking on agro produce like meat and vegetables, Mr Adabo asked the public to avoid purchasing from unhygienic environment. He said that, eggs tainted with fecal matter should be washed properly with water before they are cooked.

Market women, were also advised to maintain hygienic environment as they ply their trade and not to display pre-packaged products directly under the sun as chemical reactions could take place and compromise the product's safety.

At the end of the public sensitisation program, Mr Adabo called on product manufacturers who supply and sell products without authorisation from FDA to desist from such acts. He asked that they contact the Authority, apply for product registration and if their product(s) meet the required standards, they would be granted market authorisation.