Gov't bans import and sale of potassium bromide

The Government has banned the importation and sale of potassium bromide because its use could cause cancer, low sperm count in men and could affect women's genes.

Mr. Kwamena Van-Ess, Head of the Food Division of the Foods and Drugs Board announcing this at a meeting of the Bakers Association at Wa on Tuesday, said the board had intensified educational programmes to combat the sale of unwholesome food and drugs as they had negative effects on the health of persons who used them.

Mr. Van-Ess said measures had also been intensified at all the country's entry points to curb the influx of such banned drugs and urged officials of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service and the Ghana Immigration Service to assist to achieve this goal.

He advised the bakers to add Vitamin C as supplement to their bread and other products instead of using potassium bromide, which had negative effects on the health of consumers.

Mr. Van-Ess urged district assemblies to register all bakers in their areas so that those who flouted the ban could be identified and punished. He said the board would organise a series of workshops and seminars to sensitise bakers and other food vendors on the dangers of consuming unwholesome food. Mr. Van-Ess said the board was carrying out market surveillance in some selected areas throughout the country to access how food and drugs were handled.