Sudan IV can deform unborn babies - Specialist

The Former Deputy Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr George Amofa has revealed that, aside palm oil containing Sudan IV (sudee) and other harmful substances like candle wax, chili thus grounded pepper also contains harmful substances so Ghanaians should be very careful.

The harmful substance (Sudan IV) which have been adapted by traders in making the palm oil look very reddish and attractive is a dye supposed to be used in dying bucket and other plastic materials and not food for consumption, hence very cancerous.

Mr. Amofa speaking to Breeze news further stated that, the Sudan IV chemical can also prevent the proper formation of a foetus in the womb, deforming babies before birth.

BACKGROUND

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has raised an alarm on cancerous palm oil on the market.

The products, which were being sold at the Mallam Atta, Dome, Dansoman, Agbogbloshie, Madina, Makola No 2, Tema Community, Ashaiman markets and Kaneshie markets, all in Accra, were said to have been adulterated with Sudan IV, an industrial dye used in the coloration of plastics and other synthetic products.

Officials of the FDA said initial laboratory analyses conducted on samples of the adulterated oil showed active dye (sudee) substance of about 98 per cent Mr. James Lartey, public relations officer for the Food and Drugs Authority disclosed to Breeze news.

But Mr. Amofa has also stated that, the hazardous nature of Sudan IV aside giving cancer can deform unborn babies.