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Use of rubber and cement as food preservatives unsafe — CSIR-CRI, FDA warn
Two major agencies in the line of food safety and regulations, the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) and the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), have sounded the alarm bells, announcing intentions to crack the whip on individuals whose activities endanger the lives of local food consumers.
The CSIR-CRI and FDA have been forced to issue separate statements to caution Ghanaians to be careful with what they consume on the market.
This follows reports and videos circulating on social media about quack process being used by farmers and food vendors to make their products attractive to customers but with the potential to pose health problems.
This is directly in line with a disturbing video circulating on social media showing people using cement powder as a preservative for cowpea as well as the deliberate melting of plastic in frying oil to fry plantain chips to make it crispy.
This practice, according to the two agencies constitutes direct chemical contamination of food and renders it unsafe for human consumption.
According to the CSIR-CRI statement, the practice of using cement powder as a preservative was ‘highly unsafe and unscientific,’ and outrightly condemned the practice, warning that it poses serious health risks to consumers and undermines Ghana’s food safety efforts.
The viral clip, which has unsettled farmers and traders across the Ashanti region and beyond, shows beans being mixed with cement powder in what is claimed to be a preservation method against storage pests.
But, CSIR-CRI insists the practice was dangerous.
“Cement is not a food substance and is not approved for use in food or grain preservation under any circumstance,” said Prof. Maxwell D. Asante, Director of CSIR-CRI, in a strongly worded statement.
Food safety experts fear that desperate farmers, misled by the video, could adopt the method and inadvertently poison households.
“This is not just a matter of poor practice—it is a matter of public health… We cannot allow misinformation to compromise the integrity of our food systems”, the statement indicated.
The statement urged farmers to rely on scientifically validated storage methods, including hermetic bags, approved fumigants, and traditional protectants such as neem seed powder and wood ash.
It emphasised that safe drying, clean storage facilities, and integrated pest management remain the cornerstones of cowpea preservation. “We are committed to promoting evidence-based, internationally accepted post-harvest handling practices,” it stated.
The warning comes at a time when cowpea, a staple protein source for millions of Ghanaians, faces persistent threats from bruchid beetles and other storage pests.
Farmers often struggle to balance affordability with safety in storage techniques, making them vulnerable to adopting shortcuts promoted on social media.
The statement also carried a broader message: not all information shared online is authentic, calling on the public to verify agricultural practices with extension officers or credible research institutions before adoption.
“We must protect both our efforts to improve food security, the Institute’s stance underscores the need for vigilance against unsafe practices. For now, the message is clear: cement belongs to construction sites, not in food stores.
Furthermore, the FDA’s statement specifically addressed recent allegation of using ‘rubber’ in the preparation of plantain chips, an action that poses serious health risks to consumers and violates established food safety regulations.
The authority said it had taken note of reports suggesting that some vendors were melting polyethylene, a type of plastic material, in hot oil while frying plantain chips to enhance crispiness and extend the shelf life of the snack.
It explained that plastics such as polyethylene were not food-grade substances and may release harmful chemicals when exposed to high temperatures.
It explained that heating plastic materials could lead to the release of chemical compounds including plasticisers and other additives, which may contaminate the oil and eventually the food being prepared.
The FDA cautioned that prolonged consumption of foods contaminated with such chemicals could lead to adverse health effects, including hormonal disruption and other long-term health complications.
As a result, the authority highlighted that it had begun investigations and intensified market surveillance to ascertain the authenticity of the claims.
Samples of plantain chips from various parts of the country, the FDA noted, would be subjected to laboratory analysis to determine whether plastic materials had been used during their preparation.
According to the two agencies, the use of non-food-grade substances in food preparation or preservation was an offence under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), warning that any individual or food vendor found culpable would face sanctions including prosecution.
They urged food vendors and processors to adhere strictly to approved food preparation standards and avoid practices that could endanger public health.
Consumers were also encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious food handling practices to the authority, reiterating their commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products or farm produce on the market were safe for consumption by all.
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The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has called for urgent and decisive action following recent xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians living in South Africa.
In a statement issued in Accra on April 29, the caucus expressed concern about what it described as a growing pattern of violence against foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, in areas such as KwaZulu-Natal, Durban and Gauteng.
The group noted that Ghanaian-owned businesses have been attacked, while some individuals have been harassed and assaulted. It added that, in certain cases, victims have also been denied access to essential services.
According to the statement, claims that foreign nationals are responsible for crime and economic hardship are unfounded and should be rejected.
The caucus referred to the widely circulated assault of a Ghanaian, Emmanuel Asamoah, as an example of the severity of the situation. It also raised concern about reports that some incidents occurred in the presence of law enforcement officers without effective intervention.
The Minority acknowledged steps taken by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, including his engagement with South African authorities and efforts to provide consular support to affected Ghanaians.
It noted the public condemnation of the attacks by President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing these as necessary but not sufficient.
The caucus called on the South African government to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible and to hold security agencies accountable where they fail to act.
It urged authorities to take practical steps to protect foreign nationals across the country.
On the part of Ghana, the Minority urged the government to adopt a stronger and more structured response.
It called for direct engagement between President John Dramani Mahama and President Ramaphosa to secure firm commitments on the safety of Ghanaians.
The statement further recommended increased consular support for citizens in affected areas and called for the issue to be escalated to the African Union for an urgent inquiry into recurring xenophobic attacks.
It urged the government to work with regional partners within ECOWAS to present a unified response.
The Minority suggested that Ghana should seek assurances from South Africa, including confirmed arrests, clear prosecution processes and a plan to protect foreign nationals.
It added that compensation should be considered for victims who have suffered losses.
The statement, signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, urged Ghanaians in South Africa to remain cautious and maintain contact with the Ghana High Commission.
It stressed that Ghana must act firmly to protect its citizens and uphold the principles of cooperation and solidarity among African countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Climate Change and Sustainability Ministry backs WiSA International Festival to promote women-led climate action
The Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability has expressed support for the Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) International Festival, aimed at promoting inclusive climate action and sustainable development across the continent.
In a statement, the Office said it recognises WiSA as an important platform that brings together governments, development partners, the private sector and civil society to drive climate solutions and economic transformation.
The Festival is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2026, at the Cedi Conference Centre from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This year’s event under the theme: Empowering Women For The Economic Sustainability of Africa, will feature, Liu Yaw Nana, Acting Secretary of Ghana-Chinese Business Chamber of Commerce, Issifu Seidu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Dr.Agness Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection, Bishop E.O Ansah, General Overseer, Eternal Life Church, President, Women’s Development Association, Turkey, Nilgün Zaimoğlu and Chief of Government Relations and Africa UN Global Compact.
Additionally, it will host, Dr.Charity Binka, Chairperson, Chairperson, African Women Leaders Network , Pearl Opoku, Trader and GUTA National Organiser, Lydia Abbey, Makola Market Queen, actress Juliet Ibrahim, CEO of FZ Global Legacy, Francesca Zoppi, The Revival Founder, Yayra Agbofah and many others.
According to the statement, WiSA’s vision, led by Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, aligns with national and continental goals on climate resilience, green growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Office noted that WiSA’s focus on empowering women as key drivers of sustainability and economic productivity is a practical approach to addressing climate challenges and development gaps.
It highlighted WiSA’s track record of engaging global institutions and organising multi-stakeholder events as evidence of its ability to mobilise partnerships and deliver results.
The Ministry said the 2026 Festival presents an opportunity to promote climate-smart investments, green innovation and scalable solutions in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and the circular economy.
It added that the event will also support public-private partnerships and strengthen Africa-led solutions in global sustainability discussions.
As part of its commitment, the Office said it will support policy coordination, facilitate engagement with relevant government agencies, and promote an enabling environment for climate finance and green investments.
It also pledged to contribute to knowledge sharing, technical support and stakeholder mobilisation.
The statement emphasised that investing in initiatives like WiSA is key to driving inclusive economic growth, building resilience and achieving long-term development goals.
It further stressed that empowering women remains central to delivering sustainable and equitable outcomes.
The Office called on organisations to partner with WiSA to support climate action and sustainable development efforts across Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
