By Ashiadey Dotse
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public that cement is not approved for preserving beans in Ghana.
In a statement issued in Accra on February 16, 2026, the Authority said it had seen a viral video on social media showing a white powder, believed to be concrete cement, being used to preserve beans.
The FDA said the method shown in the video is not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices. It explained that the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture does not recommend or approve such a method.
According to the Authority, a careful review of the video shows that the language spoken is not Ghanaian. A translation of the narration also revealed unsafe and unhygienic practices. The video shows chemicals being handled with bare hands without protective clothing. It also shows a person standing on a heap of beans without any protective wear.
The FDA stressed that it does not approve of any food preservation method that can harm public health. It noted that the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene, direct contact with food using bare hands, and lack of protective gear go against accepted food safety standards.
The Authority assured the public that such practices are not encouraged in Ghana. It advised farm produce aggregators and retailers to avoid unsafe food preservation methods.
The FDA further urged consumers to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the Authority for investigation and possible sanctions.
The statement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, who reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.
