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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has said it has initiated investigations into the alleged soaking of millipedes in palm oil as its uses the requisite mechanisms to ensure the protection of the health and safety of consumers.

“The FDA considers the alleged soaking of millipedes in palm oil as unscientific and unacceptable practice and warns perpetrators to desist from such acts,” it said in an official statement issued in Accra.

The statement, signed by the Communications Director, Mr James Lartey, said the Authority’s attention was drawn to the news item reported in the Mirror newspaper on Friday, February 5 to11, 2016, edition and captioned: “Health Alert! Millipedes in our palm oil.”

According to the publication, some postgraduate students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) conducted a market survey, which indicates that some traders add millipedes to palm oil to give it a sweet taste and a red colour.

The traders, according to the statement, allegedly admitted to soaking millipedes overnight to achieve that impact.

The FDA has, therefore, encouraged the public to provide information on persons engaged in activities that were likely to endanger public health and safety with respect to FDA's mandate through any of the following contact numbers; 0208115619 / 0244337235.

The public can also reach the FDA on a Toll Free line or text to the short code as follows; Toll Free line: 0800-151-000 (Free only on Vodafone and Airtel Networks).