The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has clamped down on unregistered diaper products at the Ho Market in the Volta Region.
The exercise was aimed at cleaning the market of counterfeit products that pose health threats to consumers, who are basically children.
The Volta Regional FDA Director, Gordon Akurugu, led a team of officials from his outfit and the Ghana Police Service to undertake the exercise on Thursday morning.
With a strategic plan and concerted efforts, a number of shops were raided by the team, resulting in the identification and seizure of several unregistered diaper products suspected to be counterfeit.
Brands confiscated include Santi, Amanda, Rouyay, Sael, 4ever Cotton, Maya, Smart, and Jasper New, among others, found on the shelves in the market.
In collaboration with the police, the items were safely transported to the FDA Regional Office for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Mr. Akurugu explained that the identified traders would assist the police in investigations to identify the suppliers and manufacturers.
“It is important for us to establish where the products are coming from. Most of the diapers on the market are not labelled; therefore, the FDA cannot guarantee the safety and quality,” he added.
He expressed optimism that the products might have been smuggled into the country because of the porous nature of the Ghana-Togo border, which is laced with several unapproved routes.
He said that persons found violating the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851) would be made to face the law and apportioned the appropriate penalties.
“The law says that every imported product coming into the country has to be registered. The Public Health Act 851 mandates that imports and exports should be controlled by the FDA. We control imports to ensure that the product coming in is safe, precocious and wholesome for use.
“And therefore, if it comes into the country and the FDA is not aware, we cannot guarantee its safety. So if we see a product that is not registered on the market, it is against the law, and then you face the full rigours of the law,” he explained.
Mr. Akurugu cautioned mothers to be vigilant when shopping for products for their vulnerable offspring by looking out for well labeled products and FDA approval details.
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