The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has responded to recent reports regarding the presence of banned substances in tomato paste sold in Ghana. The reports, which stem from a 2018 research study conducted by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), were published on the university’s website in 2024 and subsequently picked up by several media outlets.
In a statement addressing the concerns, the FDA emphasized that it was already aware of the research findings and had taken regulatory actions long before the study was made public. The Authority highlighted that in 2015, it played a key role in banning the use of Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine E127), a synthetic food color, in tomato products. Additionally, since 2018, the FDA has developed testing methods to detect synthetic food colors in tomato paste and other food products to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
The FDA clarified that following the 2018 research findings, necessary regulatory measures were implemented, including the safe disposal of implicated brands, bulk products, and food colors found at manufacturing premises. The Authority also reaffirmed that its regulations align with the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA 2024) and the Codex Alimentarius, which guides the use of food additives approved by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
in a release sign by the Chief Executive Officer, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Delese Mini Darko , the FDA pointed out a misinterpretation in the study, explaining that samples of Tomato Mix were analyzed as Tomato Paste. Historically, Tomato Mix products have been more susceptible to the addition of synthetic colors, dietary fiber, and sugar—ingredients that are strictly prohibited in tomato paste.
To ensure food safety, the FDA continues to enforce strict measures, including pre-market evaluation and laboratory testing of tomato products before they are introduced to the market. The Authority also conducts routine market surveillance and collaborates with accredited local and international laboratories to monitor food products for compliance with chemical and microbiological safety standards.
While public awareness of food safety research is crucial, the FDA encourages academic institutions to collaborate with its Research and Nutrition Department before publishing studies with regulatory implications. The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring consumer confidence in food products through continuous stakeholder engagement and public education.
Source: Agriwatchgh
