Recently, due to a rise in food adulteration, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a public warning about unsafe foods.
Channel One News uncovered concerning practices at Agbobloshie market, where vendors revealed additives used in foods and oils. For instance, Sudan IV dye is added to palm oil to enhance its red color.
Adulteration has also affected powdered pepper, with additives used to alter its color and quantity.
Trader Rakiatu Mohammed confirmed these practices to Channel One News, detailing various methods used to adulterate powdered pepper.
“We have a lot on our market here. Some use the pepper seeds and colour to mix the powder to make it reddish. Others grind pepper with pear leaves.
Some traders at the Nima Market also add gari to the pepper. Just to increase the quantity because pepper is now expensive. The original pepper is neither very red nor white. It should be brownish,” she stated.
Roderick Daddey-Adjei, Deputy CEO of the FDA, advised Ghanaians to be vigilant about their food choices, emphasizing that food safety concerns everyone.
“You go into the Public Health Act 851, and there is a section that deals with food adulteration and food fraud. I think you even heard about plastic rice. There are myths that do come up. Ghanaians need to start taking control of things for themselves and stop blaming people.”
