The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has commended the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for intercepting and destroying 28 bales of second-hand and low-grade diapers, popularly known as “bale diapers.”
The Executive Director of Mediation and Arbitration at the CPA, Nana Prempeh Okogyeabour Aduhene, described the enforcement action as an important step towards protecting infants and consumers from potentially unsafe baby-care products.
The 28 bales were found in a 40-foot container and subsequently incinerated at Shai Hills as part of the FDA’s nationwide enforcement exercise to remove unwholesome baby-care products from the Ghanaian market.
The action comes amid concerns over the handling, storage and sanitary conditions associated with second-hand diapers.
According to the FDA, bale diapers are typically shipped in loose packaging, making them vulnerable to exposure to moisture, dust and pest infestation during transit.
The Authority said such conditions could create an environment conducive to the growth of harmful fungi and bacteria, posing health risks to infants, who are particularly vulnerable to unhygienic conditions.
The FDA also disclosed that its investigations had uncovered attempts by some traders to evade regulatory scrutiny at the ports by declaring containers carrying the prohibited products as ordinary tissue paper.
The Authority warned that persons involved in the importation of the banned products would face legal and regulatory sanctions, and that importers would be required to bear the cost of their safe disposal.
Nana Aduhene urged consumers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing baby-care products whose safety and quality cannot be verified.
He further encouraged the public to patronise products that have undergone the required regulatory checks and are duly registered with the FDA.
The CPA said continued collaboration among regulatory institutions, consumer groups and the public would be necessary to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers and to strengthen consumer protection in Ghana.