Cement not allowed for preserving beans - FDA warns

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has dismissed as unsafe and unacceptable a viral video circulating on social media showing beans being preserved with a white powdery substance believed to be cement.

The Authority said the practice depicted in the video was not part of approved Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation methods and was not recognised by any relevant regulatory body in the country.

A statement issued by the FDA and copied to the Ghana News Agency clarified that the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture does not recommend or endorse such a preservation method.

It said a review of the footage suggested the language spoken in the video was not Ghanaian.

A translation of the narration, it added, revealed unsafe and unhygienic food handling practices.

The FDA noted that chemicals in the video were applied with bare hands without protective wear, while an individual was seen standing on a heap of beans without protective clothing.

The Authority described these practices as contrary to acceptable food safety standards.

“The FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health,” the statement emphasised.

It said the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene, direct contact with food using bare hands and the absence of protective gear were clear violations of established food safety regulations.

The FDA assured the public that the practices depicted in the viral video were neither encouraged nor tolerated in Ghana.

It advised farm produce aggregators and retailers to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation methods that could endanger public health.

The Authority also urged consumers to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the FDA for investigation and possible sanctions.

The statement reiterated the FDA’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.

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