Palm oil now safe for consumption – FDA

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has announced that palm oil sold in markets across the country is safe for consumption.

According to the authority, a market survey it conducted in 10 markets in the Greater Accra Region last November showed that 90 per cent of palm oil products in those markets were free from the Sudan IV dye, the textile dye that causes cancer.

Markets visited included Mallam Atta, Dome, Dansoman, Agbogbloshie, Kaneshie, Tema Community One, Ashaiman, Madina and Makola No.2.

Sensitisation forum
A Senior Regulatory Officer and Head of the Food-borne Diseases Surveillance Unit of the FDA, Mr Benjamin Osei Tutu, made the disclosure at a sensitisation forum held at Madina in Accra organised by the Department of Oil Palm Research (OPR) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the FDA.

“Consumers should be assured that the FDA is doing all it can to ensure safety of the food we eat. Henceforth, it is alright to consume palm oil without fear,” he said.

Background
In August last year, the authority warned the public against the consumption of palm oil sold on the market after it was discovered that palm oil samples picked from some markets had tested positive for the Sudan IV dye.

It consequently advised people not to buy or consume palm oil sold on the Ghanaian market.

The Narcotics Division of the Ghana Police Service consequently apprehended a number of dealers suspected to be involved in the practice and confiscated the product, which was analysed and found to contain Sudan III and Sudan IV dyes, leading to the arrest of 22 market women and a driver.

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