Chlorpyrifos possible cause of banku and okro soup deaths - FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has commented on the mysterious deaths of five people which was linked to the consumption of banku and okro soup at Akakpokope, a village in the South Tongu district in the Volta Region.

According to Mr. James Lartey, Head of Communication at the Food and Drugs Authority, the cause of death is linked to the presence of a pesticide ‘Chlorpyrifos’ in the food.

“According to lab test report available to the authority the cause of death of the five is possibly linked to the presence of a pesticide in the food, that is not to say that the people died because of that but it could be a factor but let not be quick to conclude, there could be other causes", he said.

Mr. Lartey said the authority was doing further investigations into the matter and in due time Ghanaians will be told what was the actual cause of the death.