Editorial
Use of rubber, cement as food preservatives unsafe – CSIR, FDA cautions
A story titled “Use of rubber, cement as food preservatives unsafe – CSIR, FDA cautions” appeared in The Spectator on March 14, 2026. It illustrated the negative consequences of utilising dangerous materials to preserve food.
This came after videos and reports went viral on social media about farmers and food vendors using quack methods to make their goods appealing to consumers but potentially harmful to their health.
The unsettling video that went viral on social media showed individuals purposefully melting plastic in frying oil to make plantain chips crispy and using cement powder as a cowpea preservative.
The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI), two significant organisations in the field of food safety, denounced the practice, raised the alarm, and declared their desire to punish those whose actions jeopardise the lives of local food consumers.
The agencies claim that the procedures directly contaminate food with chemicals, making it unfit for human consumption. Because food safety poses a threat to human health, it merits significant attention. These organisations were compelled to issue separate statements warning Ghanaians to exercise caution when consuming products from the market.
“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. People who are obsessed with money will do anything to further their own interests, regardless of the consequences to the public’s health.
The high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the country is probably caused by hazardous chemicals and food additives used for preservation. Sadly, long-term intake of foods tainted with these chemicals may have negative health impacts, such as hormonal disruption and other long-term health issues, as the FDA warned.
Food safety is in a worse state than anyone could have imagined. It is worrying that practically every food consumed nowadays contains hazardous substances.
The Spectator applauds the FDA for starting investigations and stepping up market monitoring to verify the veracity of the claims. The Ghana Health Service (GHS), the CSIR, and the FDA are being urged by The Spectator to collaborate in educating the public and food and beverage sellers on the risks that hazardous chemicals and food additives pose to internal organs and health.
In accordance with the regulatory bodies’ declaration, farmers are urged to use scientifically proven storage techniques, such as hermetic bags, permitted fumigants, and conventional protectants like wood ash and neem seed powder.
The public should exercise caution when making purchases at the market to ensure food safety.
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Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
