The escalating concern within the Bohye International Fruit Market at Madina, spearheaded by Queen Mother Beatrice Sowah, highlights a growing crisis regarding the use of chemicals on fruits and other food products, prompting a critical assessment of the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) response and potential repercussions for market operators. Sowah, a vocal critic of current enforcement practices, has repeatedly voiced anxieties regarding the potential for widespread harm to consumers, a sentiment intensified by recent FDA attention focused on the issue. Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Sowah asserted that the FDA must prioritize consumer protection, alleging a history of inadequate oversight and a failure to adequately address the issue of chemical application. “Those who are allowing these things to happen to Ghanaians are the FDA people,” she stated emphatically, suggesting a need for greater responsibility and proactive action. The FDA’s recent intensified focus on the matter, according to Sowah, seems driven primarily by public media scrutiny, not a genuine assessment of risk. She detailed instances where fruits are routinely treated with chemicals, questioning why the FDA has been slow to react to these documented instances. Specifically, she highlighted that the problem has existed for some time, prompting a question of why the FDA has intensified its monitoring. “These things did not start long ago, so we don’t know why they are acting, just doing it for the cameras,” she stated, indicating a potential desire for public attention. Sowah further emphasized her previous attempts to raise concerns with authorities regarding fruit sales, claiming she had previously warned about the presence of chemicals. She detailed a process she personally undertook to investigate complaints received from traders, stating she always took time to examine the situation before taking action. The FDA has subsequently taken disciplinary action against traders found using chemicals and refusing to heed warnings, a process Sowah described as ‘sack’ing individuals. According to Sowah, she personally investigates complaints received about traders before taking action. “When I see people doing that in the market and there are complaints, I always take time to go and see for myself,” she explained, emphasizing her commitment to consumer safety. She also accused some traders of withholding information when disciplinary action is taken against them, stating that she personally investigates complaints before taking action. A recent investigation, according to Sowah, revealed that traders who are found using chemicals and refuse to heed warnings face expulsion from the market. “So if I see you doing that, I won’t forgive you at all. When we see you using chemicals and we advise you and you refuse to heed the advice, then we sack you,” she asserted. Sowah stressed that her opposition to this practice was rooted in genuine concerns about public health and the well-being of consumers. “I always speak against it in the market because it is not healthy for us to consume fruits with chemicals,” she said, highlighting the potential for chemical exposure. Her comments come amidst renewed calls for stronger enforcement and public education regarding food safety and the use of unregulated chemicals in fruit handling and ripening. The FDA has been criticized for a lack of proactive measures and insufficient data on the impacts of chemical treatment, leading to calls for increased scrutiny and a more rigorous approach to regulatory oversight. The situation underscores a significant challenge: balancing the need for market stability with the protection of public health and consumer safety.
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Source: Adom Online
