Ghana’s Palm Oil Is Safe ― FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has assured Ghanaians of the safety of palm oil on the local markets.

According to them, they have put in place regulatory measures to ensure that palm oil on the Ghanaian market, as well as export consignments are safe for consumption.

This assurance comes after the FDA’s attention was drawn to reports on social media of seizure of two brands of palm oil―POLIFUDS and ZOMI in Switzerland.

The publication attributed its source to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and warned against the use of the said palm oil brands

According to the report, the seized palm oil brands purported to contain Sudan dyes were allegedly from the shores of Ghana―causing fear and panic.

But in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the authority, Mrs. Delese Mimi Darko, Ghanaians are to disregard such reports.

“It may be recalled that the FDA has worked extensively on this subject in the past in collaboration with other agencies including its European partners to ensure the safety of palm oil used in Ghana and for export,” the statement read.

It continued: “Preliminary investigations conducted so far by the FDA about the publication indicate that the implicated brands are not registered with the FDA and there is no information regarding the country of origin.”

According to the FDA, market investigations carried out so far by the FDA has also not established that the said brands are in circulation on the Ghanaian market.

“It must be noted that ZOMI is a generic name for a type of palm oil in many West African countries and its origin should not be necessarily associated with Ghana only,” the FDA emphasised.

Meanwhile, the FDA pledged to continually monitor the industry and trade practices to promote public health and safety.

To ensure that our markets are rid of harmful consumables, the public has also been encouraged to alert the FDA on any issue regarding its mandate through the contacts below.

The Toll-free numbers are: 0800151000(Vodafone and Airtel) Hotlines: 0299802932, 0299802933

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/thePublisher