We’ll ensure ‘poisonous’ tilapia doesn’t get to the markets – FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it is working assiduously to ensure that the unwholesome Tilapia found at Asutuare in the Greater Accra region does not get onto other markets for consumption by unsuspecting public.

Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation and National Security operatives have destroyed eighteen (18) kilograms of noxious tilapia at Asutsuare after several tons of the fish began to die early this week, sparking fears of poisoning among residents who contacted NADMO and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for assistance.

Officials of the two organizations subsequently moved in, seizing the contaminated produce, destroying them to avoid human consumption.

Reports indicate that the shoals of fish belongs to a Chinese-owned fish farming company – Fujian Farm – and were allegedly brought into the country from China.

In an interview the Public Relations Officer of the FDA, James Lartey stated that his outfit it is collaborating with the Ministry of Fisheries to avert a situation where lives would be put in danger following the consumption of what is believed to be poisonous fish.

“I know the Ministry of Fisheries has picked samples from the place already to the Ghana Standards Authority to be tested to confirm what is actually the cause of the death of the fishes. FDA in our collaboration are also ensuring that the product does not come into trade.”

It is yet to established if indeed the said shoals of Tilapia is Genetically Modified Organism (GMO).

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in October 2017 destroyed 4,500 cartons of unwholesome canned fish that were said to be on transit to Togo, but were diverted onto the Ghanaian market.

The unregistered consignment labeled ‘Asahi’ was imported into the country by Dotsico Ventures.

The exercise was supervised by the police and officials of the FDA at the Achimota Mile Seven Police Station.