The Writer
Tomatoes are the heartbeat of Ghanaian cuisine, infusing our jollof, stews, and soups with the rich, familiar taste that brings families together. Yet today, we must confront a worrying reality: many of our kitchens are being served cheap imitations masquerading as good–faith tomato products.
The recent recall of Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix has laid bare the dangers hiding behind the “mix” label.
Tasty Tom Recall: A Warning Bell for Consumers
On August 1, 2025, Nutrifoods Ghana Limited announced a voluntary recall of all batches of its Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix, covering multiple packaging formats—210g and 400g cans, and 380g and 1.05 kg pouches—after alarming reports of product bloating. The recall, issued under the directive of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and National Security, underscored the seriousness of the matter.
The affected batches were linked to glaring lapses in quality control. Investigations revealed faulty sealing that led to contamination, mold growth, and bloating—failures compounded by poor equipment maintenance and inadequate monitoring systems.
This was not the first red flag. The FDA had already suspended production of the canned versions in January 2025, citing safety concerns. Now, with all manufacturing operations halted, the regulator has launched an internal probe to examine not only the company’s negligence but also potential weaknesses in its own oversight.
Beyond One Recall: A Regulatory Wake-Up Call
This recall isn’t just about one brand; it reflects a troubling vulnerability in Ghana’s food regulation system. Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is responsible for developing and publishing standards across diverse sectors, including food. GSA standards GS 245:2019 for tomato paste and GS 1203:2018 for tomato mix require clear labeling of tomato content percentages; however, compliance appears uneven, Modern Ghana/ Graphic Online.
A 2024 study found starch and the banned dye erythrosine (Red Dye 3) in tomato concentrates sold locally. These adulterants reduce nutrient value and pose health risks. These substances are prohibited in tomato paste formulations, yet their presence underscores serious enforcement gaps.
The Role And Limits of Tomato Mix
Since its introduction, tomato mix has become a staple in the Ghanaian food market, largely due to its practical advantages. It is relatively inexpensive, making it accessible to low-income households. It is convenient to use, sometimes fortified, and suitable for quick meal preparation, which appeals to both busy households and small food vendors.
Its long shelf life also makes it suitable for storage without refrigeration, an important factor in communities with unreliable electricity supply.
However, while these benefits account for its popularity, they should not override the need for strict attention to safety, product quality, and accurate labeling.
Where Is The Tomato Paste?
What is worrying is not only the safety concerns surrounding tomato mix but also the near disappearance of genuine tomato paste from Ghana’s markets. Increasingly, both local and foreign companies are shifting almost entirely to tomato mix production because it is cheaper to manufacture and yields higher profit margins.
As a result, consumers who prefer tomato paste—a product that is typically healthier, richer in tomato content, and more authentic—are left with limited options and often forced to pay higher prices. This trend raises serious questions about consumer choice, nutrition, and the long-term direction of Ghana’s food industry.
This market imbalance is unfair to consumers, who deserve the right to make informed choices based on health and nutritional considerations. Processing companies should be encouraged—or where necessary, required—to produce both tomato paste and tomato mix, giving households the freedom to choose what best fits their needs, budgets, and preferences. Allowing tomato paste to disappear from the market would be a disservice to our food culture, our farmers, and the consumer’s right to quality.
A Recipe for Reform: Steps to Safeguard Our Plates
- Market Withdrawals: Recall all unsafe tomato mix products until mandatory standards are enforced and validated.
- Stringent Label Regulations: Require a clear distinction between tomato paste and tomato mix—with transparent labeling of tomato concentration and additives.
- Support Local Paste Production: Incentivize companies to produce both paste and mix, ensuring tomato paste remains accessible and affordable.
- Periodic Audits & Testing: Conduct surprise inspections and laboratory testing to detect contamination and banned substances.
- Public Education Campaigns: Equip consumers to interpret labels and demand better.
- Accountability for Producers: Enforce stiff penalties for non-compliance, including public disclosure of offending companies.
A Kitchen’s Worthy Ingredient Deserves Quality Assurance
The recall of unsafe tomato mix is more than a brand crisis—it is a national wake-up call. While tomato mix offers affordability and convenience, these benefits cannot outweigh the fundamental need for safety, nutrition, and transparency.
At the same time, Ghanaian households deserve genuine choice: not just tomato mix, but authentic tomato paste that reflects the integrity of our cuisine and the richness of our agricultural potential.
By Barbara Gyapong, Food Scientist, Impact Food Hub