The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) have released a joint statement warning Ghanaians about the increased importation of unregistered disposable baby diapers into the country.
According to regulatory authorities, disposable diapers imported into the country are either unsanitary wrapped in bales or hidden in bales of soiled clothing before being repackaged and sold with inadequate labeling or no labeling at all.
According to the statement, the practice does not meet the regulatory, packaging, and labeling standards of the Ghana Standard (GS 1166:2017) for disposable baby diapers.
“The safety of baby diaper materials is checked during the FDA product registration process. As such, the FDA cannot guarantee the levels of any toxins, dyes, or skin irritants present in unregistered baby diapers,” it read.
The statement further stated that frequent diaper handling, usually under unsanitary conditions, might allow bacteria to reach the vaginal region, endangering the health and well-being of babies and children, particularly girls.
As a result, the authorities have advised diaper makers, importers, and distributors that only diapers that have been officially registered by the FDA and fulfill the Ghana Standard (GS 1166:2017) should be imported and sold.
They also asked that all registered diapers imported into the country be adequately packaged and sealed to protect the product from moisture, soiling, contamination, and damage throughout transportation, storage, and distribution for the duration of the product’s shelf life.
“The importation of unregistered and unhygienic baby diapers into the country will result in their seizure and safe disposal at a cost to the person who imports them,” it warned.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke