Wrapping Fante kenkey in polyethylene …dangerous to health

• Mrs Delese Darko, CEO of FDA

 The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reiterated the use of traditional wrapping materi­als such as dried plantain or banana leaves. These mate­rials, according to the FDA, are natural and do not release harmful chemicals when heated. Additionally, they add flavour and aroma to the food, enhancing its taste and overall experience.

The FDA has, therefore, cautioned producers and con­sumers of the continuous use of plastic films as a primary packaging material for Fan­te kenkey. has raised health concerns admonished the public on the effect of using polythene for packaging Fante Kenkey.

According to the FDA, the temperature at which the ken­key was cooked could release harmful chemicals and toxins in plastics, which can contam­inate the kenkey, posed health risks to consumers.

The FDA said, the use of polyethylene in wrapping Fante kenkey before cooking should be discouraged due to the biological magnification of phthalates as their continual consumption could pose severe public health issues.

Research findings pub­lished in scientific journals for decades have also shown that BPA is immediately excreted in the urine when ingested, indicating a low public health concern.

It cited a study conducted by Mensah et al (2012) which revealed that one of the primary concerns for the use of plastics in cooking Fante kenkey is the release of plas­ticizers which are chemicals added to plastics to increase their flexibility and durability. Plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates have been linked to various health problems, including hormo­nal imbalances, reproductive issues, and cancer. When plas­tics are heated, plasticizers can leach into the food they are in contact with, causing food contamination. Another concern is the release of diox­ins and furans, which are toxic chemicals that can form when polystyrene plastics are heated to high

As indicated above, BPA and phthalates are synthetic chemicals used as precursor materials in the manufacturing of plastics. Moreno (2014) also reported that some studies in women found that expo­sure to phthalates had led to increased levels of thyroid hormone, oxidative stress, and illnesses such as endometriosis and breast cancer.

These chemicals have also been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, reproductive issues, and immune system damage.

It is important to note, however, that Bisphenol A, which is used in polycarbonate plastic containers, is not used in the manufacture of low-density polyethylene plas­tics, including those used for bagging koko and the ‘olonka’ bags.

Consumers are also advised not to buy sachets and bottled water displayed on the bare sun, refuse hot food items packaged in direct contact with plastic bags, and also avoid covering boiling food items with plastic bags.

 By Spectator Reporter