Cement not food preservative – FDA warns after viral video
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has cautioned the pubic against using cement to preserve food, following a viral social media video which appeared to show beans being preserved with a powdery substance believed to be concrete cement.
The Authority stressed that the method is not approved and is not part of accepted food preservation practices in the country.
In statement issued on Tuesday, February 17, the FDA stated that it has “taken note of a viral video circulating on social media and purporting to demonstrate the preservation of beans using a white powdery substance believed to be concrete cement,” emphasizing that such a practice raises serious food safety concerns.
According to the statement, “the practice portrayed in the said video is not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices.” The FDA also referenced the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, stating that the Directorate “does not recommend or endorse such method of preservation.”
The Authority however noted that a close look at the video indicates that it may not have originated from Ghana as the language spoken is not a Ghanaian, but warned that the video in general revealed some “unsafe handling practices.”
“A translation of the narration reveals unsafe and unhygienic handling practices,” the statement said, adding that chemicals were used “without an appropriate protective wear” and “are applied with bare hands.”
It also pointed to scenes showing “someone standing on the heap of beans without any protective clothing.”
The statement cautioned that the FDA does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health, emphasizing that 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 FDA assures the public that such practices as shown in the video are not encouraged in Ghana,” the statement read, advising “farm produce aggregators and retailers… to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation methods.”
The Authority urged consumers to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices for investigations and sanctions.
See Full Statement Below:
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