FDA must seize canned foods sold on the streets under direct sunlight

 Dear Editor,

It is often said that a healthy na­tion is a wealthy nation. However, that saying faces some threat due to the food we consume which are exposed directly to the sunlight.

According to research, exposing canned foods to direct sunlight can cause heavy metal lead contami­nation from the cans and degrade the food quality and safety, thereby making it potentially unsafe for consumption.

The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has cautioned sellers of canned foods who exposed their products to direct sunlight to desist from doing so.

It also cautioned consumers to avoid buying those canned prod­ucts.

However, when we walk around the streets of Accra, we still find a number of canned foods that have been exposed to direct sunlight on sale.

Sometimes, consumers are tempted to purchase those products because of proximity of the seller.

While I commend the FDA for the concern it has raised to sellers and consumers over the years, I will like to appeal to them to intensify the efforts in addressing the issue through education and field inspec­tions at the various open market places and on the streets.

Intensifying their efforts will help protect the health of the citizenry and contribute to the socio-eco­nomic growth and development of the country.

Deborah, Ofankor.