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'It's now safe to consume palm oil in Ghana'

According to the authority, a market survey it conducted in 10 markets in the Greater Accra Region last November showed that 90 per cent of palm oil products in those markets were free from the Sudan IV dye, the textile dye which causes cancer.

 

According to the authority, a market survey it conducted in 10 markets in the Greater Accra Region last November showed that 90 per cent of palm oil products in those markets were free from the Sudan IV dye, the textile dye that causes cancer.

Markets visited included Mallam Atta, Dome, Dansoman, Agbogbloshie, Kaneshie, Tema Community One, Ashaiman, Madina and Makola No.2.

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Senior Regulatory Officer and Head of the Food-borne Diseases Surveillance Unit of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Benjamin Osei Tutu, disclosed this at a sensitisation forum held at Madina in Accra organised by the Department of Oil Palm Research (OPR) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the FDA.

Related:'Cancerous oil'

“Consumers should be assured that the FDA is doing all it can to ensure safety of the food we eat.  Henceforth, it is alright to consume palm oil without fear”, he said.

Background

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) issued a warning to the public against the consumption of palm oil sold on the market after it discovered samples picked from some markets had tested positive for the Sudan IV dye in August2015.

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It authority consequently advised people not to buy or consume palm oil sold on the Ghanaian market.

The Narcotics Division of the Ghana Police Service also apprehended about 22 market women and driver who were suspected to be involved in the practice.

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