By Emmanuella Owusu
Tema, Sept. 29, GNA — The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has intercepted and destroyed 28 bales of second-hand and low-grade diapers, popularly known as “bale diapers,” contained in a 40-foot container.
The goods were incinerated at Shai Hills as part of what the FDA described as a nationwide enforcement exercise to remove unwholesome baby-care products from the market.
Speaking on the sidelines of the disposal exercise, Mr Samuel Otoo, Senior Regulatory Officer for Communications at the FDA, expressed concern about the handling and storage conditions of such products.
According to the FDA, bale diapers are typically shipped in loose packaging, making them vulnerable to moisture, dust and pest infestation during transit.
The authority said such conditions could create an environment conducive to the growth of harmful fungi and bacteria, posing health risks to infants, who were particularly vulnerable to unhygienic conditions.
The FDA said its investigations had also revealed that some traders attempting to import the products resorted to deceptive practices at the ports, including declaring the contents of containers as ordinary tissue paper to evade regulatory scrutiny.
The authority warned that persons involved in importing the banned products would face legal and regulatory sanctions.
It said importers of the prohibited products would also be required to bear the cost of their safe disposal.
Mr Otoo reiterated the FDA’s commitment to consumer protection and urged the public to patronise only FDA-registered products that had undergone the required safety and quality evaluations.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Kenneth Odeng Adade
29 Sept 2026
Reporter: Emmanuella Owusu, GNA