The Central Regional Office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has destroyed over 29,000 unwholesome and expired products, including food, drugs, cosmetics, and household chemicals — a decisive move to protect consumers from potential harm.
The items, seized between the second and third quarters of this year, were safely disposed of at the Nkanfoa dumping site in Cape Coast through crushing, burning, and burial. This exercise, officials say, is part of ongoing nationwide efforts to rid the market of dangerous goods that threaten public health and consumer safety.
But beyond the symbolic destruction lies a deeper call to action — one that requires every Ghanaian to play a role in safeguarding what we eat, drink, and apply to our bodies.
According to Ms. Francisca Abena Asubonteng Anokye, the Central Regional Head of the FDA, the Authority remains firm in its regulatory duties and will continue to enforce the law against individuals and companies who sell expired or counterfeit goods.
“The FDA will not relent in protecting public health. We are urging producers, importers, and traders to act responsibly. Anyone caught selling unwholesome products will face the full rigours of the law,”
she cautioned.
Under Section 132 (2 & 3) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), the FDA is mandated to supervise the safe disposal of all unwholesome regulated products in a manner that prevents harm to the public or the environment.
However, regulation alone is not enough. The FDA is urging consumers to be alert — check expiry dates, “best before” labels, and the physical condition of packaging before purchase. Products that are bloated, dented, or discoloured should be treated as unsafe and avoided at all costs.
Unsafe consumer products are not just a threat to individual health — they undermine trust, waste household income, and burden the healthcare system with preventable illnesses. The fight against such negligence, therefore, is a shared national responsibility.
The FDA’s latest operation in the Central Region serves as both a warning to unscrupulous traders and a reminder to all consumers: vigilance saves lives.
If you suspect a product is fake or unsafe, report it immediately to the nearest FDA office or through the FDA Ghana Mobile App. Protecting public health begins with you
