By Gloria Anderson and Eric Crentsil
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana has announced new guidelines for the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food products, aiming to enhance consumer transparency and safety.
This initiative, developed in collaboration with the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and other stakeholders, underscores the FDA’s commitment to ensuring that the food available to Ghanaians is both safe and clearly labeled.
Speaking at a Biotechnology and GM labeling Workshop in Accra, the Deputy CEO of the FDA, Roderick Daddey- Adjei, emphasized the importance of these guidelines. “The Food and Drugs Authority ensures that food coming to our people is safe and of high quality.
Before any food enters the market, whether it is conventional or GMO, we ensure its safety,” he stated. He further elaborated on the FDA’s role in collaboration with the NBA, saying, “Once we have this association, we ensure that whatever is presented to Ghanaians is okay. Transparency is why we are going into the area of labeling.”
The guidelines aim to inform consumers about the nature of the food products they purchase. “Today’s meeting is supposed to bring transparency. We are not hiding anything from anybody. We want the public to be informed, which is why we are having this program,” the Deputy CEO added.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to involve industry stakeholders, including importers and processors, in understanding and adhering to the new labeling laws.
Chief Regulatory Officer at the FDA, Nana Akua Yeboah, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the new guidelines. “Private sector and government agencies have developed guidelines for labeling food and feed ingredients derived from GMOs. This is all about safety and ensuring consumers can make informed choices,” she explained. The guidelines provide detailed requirements for labeling, ensuring that all GMO products approved for the market are clearly identified.
National Coordinator for the Program for Biosafety Systems, Dr. Daniel Osei Ofosu, praised the progress made in GMO regulation and the importance of the new guidelines. “We have come a long way in ensuring that our GMO varieties meet national standards. The new labeling guidelines are a significant step forward in providing transparency and maintaining consumer trust.”
The FDA encourages consumers to utilize the new system to verify the safety and registration status of food products. Products will feature registration numbers that can be checked on the FDA’s website. “It is your responsibility to inform the FDA if you encounter unregistered products,” the Deputy CEO advised, urging the public to report any discrepancies to regional offices or the main office in Accra.
This initiative reflects the FDA’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that Ghanaians are well-informed about the food they consume. By implementing these guidelines, the FDA aims to maintain high standards of food safety and transparency in the market.
