Accra: FDA seizes cigarette-shaped lollipops, arrests key suspect

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the National Security, has seized quantities of an unregistered cigarette-shaped candy being sold in the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra.

The product, branded as Cigarette Rod Lollipop, was seized during a crackdown on its sale over the weekend.

The FDA said the key suspect linked to the sale has been arrested and placed in police custody as investigations continue into the importation, distribution and sale of the product.

“Cigarette Rod Lollipop is not registered by the Authority. Consequently, its composition is not known," the authority wrote in a social media post on Monday, August 31.

The FDA further raised concerns about the potential impact of the product on children, particularly because of its cigarette-like appearance.

According to the Authority, allowing children to hold and use a product designed to resemble a cigarette could potentially introduce them to smoking behaviour and undermine efforts to discourage tobacco use.

The FDA has therefore advised consumers not to purchase or use the product under any circumstances.

“Besides, children holding and using the cigarette-shaped candy could usher them into the habit of smoking," it noted.

The Authority reiterated that Section 97(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) makes it an offence to manufacture, import, export, distribute, sell or expose food for sale unless it has been registered by the FDA.

The FDA has urged anyone with the product in stock to immediately contact the Authority or submit it to the nearest FDA office.

It also called on the public to report individuals found selling the product or other suspected unregistered products.