Caution; Advertisement on Food and Drugs Regulated Products-FDA

Advertisement on Food and Drugs Authority, FDA, regulated products being aired in some local 

Radio Stations in the Upper East Region, poses danger to consumers. 

This comes as a result of translated adverts of certified scripts from the Food and Drugs Authority FDA into local languages. 

This was disclosed during a meeting with the press on the advertisement of Food and Drugs Regulated Products in Bolgatanga by the Regional Manager, Zakaria Braimah. 

Speaking to GBConline, Mr. Braimah said that, most of the local Radio Stations that translate these scripts into the various dialects, do not normally contact the FDA office for corrections. 

He said they often translate and convey misleading information to the consuming public especially alcoholic beverages. 

He indicated that, the Regional Office of the FDA is to ensure that all food products manufactured, imported, distributed and sold in the region are of good quality. 

He stated that the FDA derives its mandate from the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851 which regulates both the registration and advertisement of all Products. 

Mr. Braimah therefore entreated the media to cooperate with his office to do the right thing in order to save lives of people. 

Touching on the main purpose of the meeting, the Head of cosmetics and household chemical of the Food and Drug Authority Emmanuel Nkrumah indicated that, it the mandate of the FDA to periodically send regulatory information to the general regarding the safe use the various cosmetics and get rid of the illegal once on the markets. 

He added that, the growing misused of some of skin lightening products among people especially ladies is getting worse and poses a lot danger to their health. 

He said, for instance use of steroid to lightens one’s skin and the exposure of the skin under the sun, the long term effects may results in skin cancer and its related problems. 

The Head of Communications and Public Education of the FDA James Lartey advised the media especially Radio Station to ensure that any advert that will be aired must be certified by the Food and Drugs Authority before advertising it. 

He stated that, it is important such adverts are cross checked because the sanctions of such violations are very great. Mr. Lartey warns consumers of such products not to patronize those written in foreign language.

Story by: GBC’s Emmanuel Akayeti