By Samira Larbie, GNA
Accra, Aug. 17, GNA – The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned food business operators and the public against selling or consuming food and beverages affected by floodwater.
The Authority said some traders were washing, cleaning and repackaging flood-damaged products for resale to unsuspecting consumers, warning that the practice posed serious public health risks.
In a statement issued on Monday and copied to the Ghana News Agency, the FDA said it had received a complaint that a beverage distributor whose shop at Alajo was flooded had moved affected products to a residence at Bubiashie, where they were being washed and cleaned for resale.
The FDA said its investigations uncovered approximately one truckload of bottled water and soft drinks at the residence, with mud covering both the packs and bottles.
It said all the affected products were seized for safe disposal.
The Authority said further investigations established that the Ghana Police Service at Kaneshie had also received the complaint, arrested the owner and subsequently granted the person bail.
A similar quantity of the affected products was seized by the Police, the FDA said.
The FDA explained that floodwater could carry sewage, refuse and other contaminants, adding that washing the exterior of a bottle or shrink-wrapped pack did not make its contents safe for consumption.
It said caps, seals and packaging could easily be compromised when products were submerged in floodwater.
“Consuming such products poses a real risk of cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other water-borne diseases,” the Authority said.
The FDA advised consumers to avoid products bearing mud stains or watermarks on the pack, bottle, cap or label, as well as products with labels that were stained, peeling or discoloured.
It also urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing food and beverages sold from unusual locations or hawked in bulk without a clear source, and advised consumers to buy products only from reputable and licensed outlets.
The Authority further directed that any food or beverage stock affected by floodwater in homes or shops should be safely disposed of.
Manufacturers, distributors and retailers whose products had been affected by flooding were cautioned not to wash, repack, relabel or resell the products under any circumstances.
The FDA directed such operators to quarantine the affected stock and notify the nearest FDA office for verification and safe disposal.
It warned that failure to comply constituted an offence and would attract the full sanctions available under the law.
The Authority said it would continue its surveillance and enforcement activities in flood-affected areas to protect public health and safety.
Members of the public who became aware of the sale of flood-affected beverages and other food items were encouraged to report the matter to the nearest FDA office or police station.
Reports, complaints and inquiries could also be directed to the FDA on 0551112224/5.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
17 Aug. 2026