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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has disclosed that it has detected traces of lead and cadmium in some food products and cosmetics, prompting plans to expand surveillance and testing for heavy metal contamination.
Deputy Chief Executive for the Food Division at the FDA, Roderick Kwabena Daddy-Adjei, said the findings had heightened concerns over the potential health effects of prolonged exposure to heavy metals.
He made the disclosure in Accra during the launch of the National Strategic Plan for Heavy Metal Reduction in Food.
According to Mr Daddy-Adjei, the FDA intends to strengthen collaboration with other relevant institutions to identify potential sources of heavy metal contamination and put measures in place to control them.
He said the Authority would also increase testing of food products and cooking utensils, particularly as some items used in households could potentially contain heavy metals.
A handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine donated by UNICEF is expected to support the FDA’s efforts by allowing officials to conduct more testing directly in the field.
Mr Daddy-Adjei said samples of several food products, including turmeric, children’s foods, Winniemix, corn, Tom Brown and Kaji Kaji, were among those tested, with lead detected in some of the samples.
He also raised concerns about certain traditional products used by women, urging consumers to exercise caution because some could contain lead.
The FDA official further disclosed that cadmium had also been detected during the Authority’s investigations.
He explained that heavy metals can be harmful even when present in relatively small quantities, warning that exposure could have serious health consequences, including effects on vital organs and an increased risk of certain diseases.
The FDA is therefore urging greater public awareness while working with stakeholders to reduce the presence of heavy metals in Ghana’s food chain and consumer products.