The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has responded to recent reports stemming from a publication on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) website titled “Banned Substances Found in Tomato Paste in Ghana.”
The article, originally based on 2018 research, was widely reported in sections of the media, including Techfocus24, after KNUST published it in 2024.
In a statement, the FDA assured the public that it has long been aware of the research findings, and regulatory actions were taken immediately after the 2018 study, ensuring that affected brands adhered to safety standards.
“These actions included the safe disposal of implicated brands, removal of synthetic colours from manufacturing sites, and the imposition of administrative fines on the companies involved,” the statement said.
According to the FDA, the results of the research even formed part of its presentation during its maiden Scientific Forum in Accra in 2023, on which occasion it made was made clear that action have been taken to rectify the situation back in 2018.
The FDA also said since 2018, it has implemented strict regulatory measures, including the development of a testing method to detect synthetic food colours such as erythrosine (Red Dye 3) in tomato paste and other food products.
According to the FDA, in 2015, it played a pivotal role in banning Red Dye 3 (E127) in tomato products in Ghana, so it took the 2018 report by the KNUST researchers seriously and acted on it immediately.
The FDA also clarified that the research analysed samples of Tomato Mix but presented findings as though they applied to Tomato Paste, leading to misinterpretations.
It said, while tomato paste must contain a minimum of 24% tomato concentrate with or without salt, tomato mix can include as little as 7% tomato concentrate, along with permitted natural colours, starch, fibre, and sugar.
The FDA reaffirmed that erythrosine (E127) remains strictly prohibited in tomato products, although it is permitted in small amounts in other food categories such as candies, baked goods, and beverages under international safety standards.
To ensure compliance, the FDA has put in place stringent regulatory controls, including:
- Pre-Market Evaluation and Registration, where all tomato products undergo rigorous testing and approval.
- Routine market surveillance through periodic inspections and spot checks.
- Collaboration with accredited laboratories for in-depth chemical and microbiological testing.
The FDA has urged academic institutions to engage with the authority before publishing research with regulatory implications to prevent public misinformation. The Authority remains committed to ensuring food safety, protecting public health, and maintaining consumer confidence in Ghana’s food products.
Find the full statement below:
FDA Statement on KNUST Study on Banned Substances in Tomato Paste
