The FDA assured the public that it has put together regulatory measures to ensure the wholesomeness of palm oil sold on the Ghanaian market.

In a statement signed by the acting Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Mrs. Delese Darko, the Authority said that it’s attention had been drawn to reports on social media about the seizure of two brands of palm oil in Switzerland purported to contain Sudan dyes.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uEHsDzcrofLXcAAkj8ulvcvIW2QFjTtV”]The statement said the publication attributed its source to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), and warned against the use of the said palm oil brands.

Below is the FDA’s statement

The attention of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has been drawn to news making rounds on social media about a seizure of two brands of palm oil (POLIFUDS and ZOMI) in Switzerland purported to contain Sudan dyes.

The publication attributed its source to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and warned against the use of the said palm oil brands.

It may be recalled that the FDA has worked extensively on this subject in the past in collaboration with other agencies including its European partners to ensure the safety of palm oil used in Ghana and for export.

Preliminary investigations conducted so far by the FDA about the publication indicate that the implicated brands are not registered with the FDA and there is no information regarding the country of origin.

Market surveillance carried out so far by the FDA has also not established that the said brands are in circulation on the Ghanaian market.

It must be noted that ZOMI is a generic name for a type of palm oil in many West African countries and its origin should not be necessarily associated with Ghana only.

The FDA wishes to assure the general public that it has put in place regulatory measures to ensure that palm oil on the Ghanaian market, as well as export consignments, are safe for consumption.

The export control measures include the sampling and testing of consignments for Sudan IV dyes among other parameters. Failed consignments are disposed of.

The FDA will continue to monitor the industry and trade practices to promote public health and safety. Meanwhile, the public is encouraged to alert the FDA on any issue regarding its mandate through any of the following contacts

Toll-free: 0800151000(Vodafone and Airtel)

Hotlines: 0299802932, 0299802933

Shortcode: 4015

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Alleged unwholesome palm oil not from Ghana – FDA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) earlier this year arrested some market women for allegedly mixing the product with textile dye, popularly called Sudan 4.

It however announced in July this year, that majority of palm oil in the markets it had tested was safe for consumption.

But the producers at Subi, a farming community known for palm oil production say their business is yet to recover.

One of them is 50-years old Grace Animah, who has been in the palm oil business for the past 15 years. She said the once lucrative business is almost dead now.

“The middle men are the ones who give us the selling price. It didn’t use to be so, but now even if you give them your own price, they won’t buy from you”, she told Citi News.

She added that “people come to buy from here to Accra and even outside the country. But they do not buy like they used to because of the news”.

According to her, the palm oil business took a nosedive when news of adulterated oil on some markets broke.

“To be honest with you, we don’t know where they even sell the dye. It is those who buy from us, who adulterate it. I was also surprised to hear that we put millipedes in the oil to enrich its colour. In fact, I get angry when they don’t treat the palm fruits hygienically. I eat some of what I produce, so why will I put millipedes in them?”

Despite the current challenges, Grace Animah remains hopeful business will pick up soon.

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By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Oil palm traders suffering from adulterated palm oil alerts appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.