FDA Confiscates Palm Oil For Testing

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in Brong-Ahafo has confiscated large quantities of containers filled palm oil suspected to be unwholesome for human consumption from the Techiman Market.

Consequently samples have been sent to the FDA laboratory in Accra for test to ascertain whether they contain traces of the Sudan IV dye, a banned substance, Mr Matthew Gyan Nkum , Regional  Director of FDA  told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in interview. 

He said samples from some educational institutions and corporate organizations like Newmont Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL), Ahafo Mine were earlier sent to Accra but they proved negative.

Mr Nkum said the samples from the Techiman market would be returned to their owners if the test also proves negative.

He  stated that several test  conducted in the Region had been negative but added however that the FDA was not relenting in its efforts to move out daily for screening because producers of palm oil have not stopped producing for the market.

Mr Nkum said the FDA was coming out with a policy that all palm oil sellers would have to wear tags with reference numbers traceable to their national identification cards.