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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has responded to recent reports stemming from a publication on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) website titled “Banned Substances Found in Tomato Paste in Ghana.”
The article, originally based on 2018 research, has been widely reported by MyJoyOnline.com, CitiNewsroom.com, GNA, and other media outlets.
The FDA has assured the public that it has long been aware of the research findings, which were first presented in 2023 during the Authority’s maiden Scientific Forum in Accra. Since 2018, the FDA has implemented strict regulatory measures, including the development of a testing method to detect synthetic food colours such as erythrosine (Red Dye 3) in tomato paste and other food products.
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The FDA emphasised that in 2015, it played a pivotal role in banning Red Dye 3 (E127) in tomato products in Ghana. As a result, regulatory actions were taken immediately after the 2018 study, ensuring that affected brands adhered to safety standards. These actions included the safe disposal of implicated brands, removal of synthetic colours from manufacturing sites, and the imposition of administrative fines.
The FDA clarified that the research analysed samples of Tomato Mix but presented findings as though they applied to Tomato Paste, leading to misinterpretations. While tomato paste must contain a minimum of 24% tomato concentrate with or without salt, tomato mix can include as little as 7% tomato concentrate, along with permitted natural colours, starch, fibre, and sugar.
The FDA reaffirmed that erythrosine (E127) remains strictly prohibited in tomato products, although it is permitted in small amounts in other food categories such as candies, baked goods, and beverages under international safety standards.
To ensure compliance, the FDA has put in place stringent regulatory controls, including:
- Pre-Market Evaluation and Registration, where all tomato products undergo rigorous testing and approval.
- Routine market surveillance through periodic inspections and spot checks.
- Collaboration with accredited laboratories for in-depth chemical and microbiological testing.
The FDA has urged academic institutions to engage with the authority before publishing research with regulatory implications to prevent public misinformation. The Authority remains committed to ensuring food safety, protecting public health, and maintaining consumer confidence in Ghana’s food products.
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