THE caution issued by the Food and Drugs Authority against the use of cement or any unapproved substance in the preservation of beans is both timely and necessary.
At a time when misinformation spreads rapidly through social media, public reassurance backed by scientific guidance is essential.
The Authority’s response follows a viral video purporting to demonstrate the preservation of beans with a white powder believed to be concrete cement.
According to the FDA, the method shown is not recognised within Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices. Indeed, the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate does not recommend or endorse any such method.
A closer review of the footage revealed troubling details. The language spoken was not Ghanaian, and the translated narration pointed to unsafe and unhygienic handling practices.
As the FDA emphasised, “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.”
Equally disturbing were scenes showing chemicals applied without protective wear and an individual standing on a heap of beans without protective clothing. Such practices are unacceptable and pose serious risks to public health.
Food safety is not merely a regulatory concern; it is a matter of national wellbeing. Unsafe preservation methods can introduce harmful contaminants into the food chain, expose consumers to serious health risks and erode confidence in locally produced food.
The FDA is therefore right to assure the public that such methods are neither encouraged nor practised in Ghana. Its advice to farm produce aggregators and retailers to avoid unsafe preservation techniques must be taken seriously.
Market leaders, aggregators and traders must insist on approved preservation methods and proper hygiene standards. Local authorities and extension officers should intensify public education in markets and farming communities.
Consumers, too, have a responsibility. They should buy food from trusted sources, observe handling conditions, and promptly report suspicious practices to the FDA for investigation and sanctions.
In an era of viral misinformation, The Ghanaian Times is of the conviction that vigilance and public education are indispensable.
Scientific guidance, proper hygiene and approved preservation methods must remain the foundation of food handling practices.
Protecting public health begins with safeguarding what we eat. Let this serve as a national call to action: reject unsafe practices, demand proper standards, and work together to keep Ghana’s food supply safe.
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