Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority, supported by UNICEF, warns consumers about the presence of hazardous levels of lead, cadmium, and mercury in everyday products, including baby cereals, turmeric, and cosmetics, prompting increased market surveillance.
The Food and Drugs Authority has warned Ghanaians to be more cautious about certain everyday products after a national assessment found worrying levels of heavy metals in some baby cereal mixes, turmeric, kohl, bentonite clay and skin-lightening products. According to the authority, the survey was carried out with UNICEF support and covered products sold across Ghana’s markets.
Roderick Kwabena Daddey-Adjei, the FDA’s deputy chief executive in charge of the food division, said the results pointed to possible exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury, especially among children and other vulnerable groups. He urged consumers to check what they buy and use, saying people should make informed choices about products that may carry hidden health risks.
The strongest concerns were linked to products widely sold in open markets and retail shops. The FDA said cereal mixes recorded a 42.90% failure rate for lead, while bentonite clay showed a 24.62% failure rate for lead and 29% for cadmium. Other reports based on the same national summary said kohl had the highest level of lead contamination, while turmeric also showed significant lead contamination in samples taken from across the country. The Ghana News Agency reported that the assessment covered all 16 administrative regions and found contamination in products ranging from traditional cosmetics to foods used in households.
The findings have deepened worries about the long-term effects of heavy metal exposure, particularly for infants and young children who are more vulnerable to its toxic effects. The FDA said it would step up market surveillance and carry out wider operations to remove unsafe products from sale. It also said UNICEF had donated an X-ray fluorescence machine to strengthen testing and enforcement.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
