THE FOOD and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned farm produce aggregators and retailers against the unapproved usage of white powdery substance believed to be cement in preserving beans, as showed in a viral video on social media.
According to a statement signed by the Authority’s Acting CEO, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Manso Opuni emphasised that the practice portrayed in the said video is not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices.
He indicated that the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture does not recommend or endorse such method of preservation.
The Authority has vehemently opposed this practice, stating that it does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health.
“The use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene practices, direct contact with food using bare hands, and lack of protective gear are all contrary to acceptable food safety standards.
“The FDA assures the public that such practices as shown in the video are not encouraged in Ghana. Farm produce aggregators and retailers are advised to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation methods,” parts of the statement read.
Prof. Opuni encouraged consumers to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the Authority for the necessary investigations and sanctions.
He further assured that FDA remains committed to safeguarding public health and safety, and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.
Calcium Carbonate, Not Cement
After conducting a reverse image search on the 58-second video which showed some people spraying a white powder on beans spread across the floor by DUBAWA, it was revealed that the white substance was calcium carbonate filler, and not cement as speculated.
The video, which was captioned, “Northern farmers using cement to preserve beans. Please parboil your beans twice before cooking” showed the sack with the number 55, and the logo is an oval around the word ‘Calco’.
DUBAWA further found a Facebook page, Calcium Carbonate Freedom Group Eastern Region, which sells calcium carbonate in Nigeria’s Southeastern region.
The page distributes kaolin, calcite, and calcium carbonate produced by Freedom Calcium Carbonate in Nigeria’s South East. The word ‘Freedom’ is written on the package’s side. It also observed that each of these features was on the calcium carbonate sack on the Facebook page.
The industrial-grade filler in the video, used in paints and coatings, poses serious health risks if consumed. Unlike food-grade calcium carbonate, this substance may contain chemical coatings not approved for human consumption. Eating beans coated with it could lead to heavy metal poisoning, causing gastrointestinal problems, neurological issues, and organ damage.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke