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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against the use of cement or any unapproved substances in the preservation of beans, following a viral video circulating on social media suggesting the practice.
In a press release issued on February 16, 2026, the authority stated that the footage, which appears to show beans being preserved with a white powdery substance believed to be concrete cement, does not reflect approved agricultural or food preservation practices in Ghana.
According to the FDA, the method portrayed is not recognised or endorsed by the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
A review of the video, the authority noted, indicates that the language spoken is not Ghanaian. A translation of the narration reportedly reveals unsafe and unhygienic handling procedures, including the application of chemicals with bare hands and the absence of protective clothing. The footage also shows an individual standing directly on a heap of beans without protective gear.
The FDA stressed that the use of cement for food preservation is not permitted under Ghana’s food safety regulations.
“The FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health,” the statement emphasised.
The Authority further condemned the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene practices and direct hand contact with food without protective wear, describing them as violations of acceptable food safety standards.
Consumers have been urged to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the FDA for investigation and possible sanctions, while farm produce aggregators and retailers have been advised to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe preservation methods.
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