FDA Warns Against Buying Flood-Damaged Food
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FDA Warns Public Against Buying Flood-Damaged Food
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public against buying or consuming food and beverage products that may have been affected by floodwater.
The Authority cautioned consumers to be particularly careful with products bearing peeling, stained or discoloured labels, as they may have been contaminated and could pose serious health risks.
The warning follows recent flooding in parts of the country, which left several commercial stocks submerged.
In a public notice dated August 13, 2026, the FDA said some unscrupulous traders had attempted to wash, clean, repackage and resell flood-damaged products to unsuspecting consumers.
FDA warns against contaminated products
The Authority explained that floodwater can contain sewage, refuse and harmful microorganisms that can contaminate food and beverages.
It stressed that simply washing the outside of a bottle or shrink-wrapped package does not make a flood-damaged product safe for consumption.
According to the FDA, caps, seals and other parts of packaging can be compromised when products are submerged in contaminated water.
The consumption of such products could expose individuals to water-borne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery.
FDA seizes flood-damaged beverages
The warning follows an investigation into a complaint involving a beverage distributor whose shop in Alajo was severely affected by flooding.
According to the FDA, the distributor allegedly transported flood-damaged stock to a residential location in Bubiashie, where the products were being washed and prepared for resale.
During the investigation, FDA officials seized approximately one truckload of mud-covered bottled water and soft drinks that were allegedly intended for resale.
The Authority said the Ghana Police Service at Kaneshie had earlier received a similar complaint, leading to the arrest of the business owner, who has since been granted bail.
A similar quantity of contaminated products was also confiscated.
Sale of contaminated food is illegal
The FDA said the sale, offer for sale or distribution of contaminated, unwholesome or unsafe food products is prohibited under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
The Authority said it has the legal mandate to seize such products and prosecute individuals who violate the law.
Consumers have therefore been urged to avoid food and beverage products showing mud stains, watermarks or peeling labels on bottles, caps or packaging.
The FDA also advised the public to be cautious of products sold from unusual locations or offered in bulk without a verifiable source.
Consumers are encouraged to purchase food and beverages only from licensed and reputable outlets.
FDA directs businesses to dispose of affected stock
Households and shop owners whose food and beverage stocks have been affected by floodwater have been advised to discard them safely.
The FDA said manufacturers, distributors and retailers must not wash, repackage, relabel or resell products that have been submerged in floodwater.
Affected stock should instead be quarantined immediately, while the nearest FDA office should be contacted to facilitate verification and proper disposal.
The Authority warned that failure to comply with the directive constitutes an offence and may attract sanctions under the law.
