The attention of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has been drawn to news making rounds on social media about a seizure of two brand of palm oil (POLIFUDS and ZOMI) in Switzerland purported to contain Sudan dyes.
The publication attributed its source to the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and warned against the uses of the said oil brands.
It is unfortunate that some unidentified individuals are circulating falsehood and implicating Ghana on social media.
It may be recalled that the FDA has worked extensively on this subject in the past in collaboration with other agencies including its European partners to ensure the safety of palm oil. Subsequently, the FDA has put in place stringent and robust measures with regard to the production, sales and export of palm oil in Ghana and to Europe and other parts of the world. These measures include:
a) Periodic sampling and testing of oil palm sold on the Ghanaian market for presence of Sudan ɪ, ɪɪ, ɪɪɪ and ɪv dyes.
b) Sampling and testing of every bath in any consignments designated for export for the presence of Sudan ɪ, ɪɪ, ɪɪɪ and ɪv dyes.
c) Issuance of an export permit for every consignment.
The sampling and the testing measures have been inspected and validated by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the European Commission and the FDA laboratory assigned for these testing is ISO 17025 accredited.
Preliminary investigations conducted so far by the FDA about the publication indicate that the implicated brands are not registered with the FDA and have not been certified for exports. There is also no information regarding the countries of origin of the implicated brands in the original publication by the ‘Le News Newspaper’ Switzerland.
Market surveillance carried out so far by the FDA has also not established that the said brands are circulation on the Ghanaian market. It must be noted that ZOMI is a genetic name for a type of palm oil in many West African countries and its origin should not be necessarily associated with Ghana.
The FDA is equally seeking redress with the Swiss Authorities on the subject and will make its findings known to the general public in due course.
The wishes to assure the general public that the measures put in place ensures palm oil on Ghana market, as well as export consignments are safe and wholesome for consumption.
The FDA will continue to monitor the industry and trade industry to promote public health and safety.
Meanwhile, the public is encouraged to alert the FDA on any issue regarding its mandate through the following contacts.
Toll free: 08000151000 Vodafone and Airtel.
Hotlines: 0299802932, 0299802933
Short code: 4015.
By, Samuel Gyan/agrictoday.com.gh
