THE Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against using cement or any unapproved substance to preserve beans, describing the practice as unsafe and contrary to acceptable food safety standards.
In a statement issued in Accra yesterday and copied to The Ghanaian Times, the authority said it had taken note of a viral video circulating on social media which purported to demonstrate the preservation of beans with a white powdery substance believed to be concrete cement.
The FDA stressed that the method shown in the video is not part of recognised Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices.
It further clarified that the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture does not recommend or endorse such a preservation method.
According to the authority, a close examination of the video indicated that the language spoken was not Ghanaian, and a translation of the narration revealed unsafe and unhygienic handling practices.
“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 statement emphasised.
The FDA also noted that chemicals in the video were applied without appropriate protective wear, while an individual was seen standing on a heap of beans without protective clothing — practices it described as unacceptable.
The authority assured the public that such methods are not encouraged in Ghana and advised farm produce aggregators and retailers to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation techniques.
Consumers were also urged to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the FDA for the necessary investigations and sanctions.
The statement reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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