The Food and Drugs Authority has cautioned the public against using cement or any unapproved substances to preserve beans, following a viral social media video suggesting the practice.
In a press release dated February 16, 2026, the Authority said the footage which appears to show beans being treated with a white powdery material believed to be concrete cement does not represent approved agricultural or food preservation methods in Ghana.
According to the FDA, the procedure shown in the video is neither recognised nor endorsed by the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The Authority further indicated that a review of the footage suggests the language spoken in the video is not Ghanaian.
A translation of the narration reportedly revealed unsafe and unhygienic handling practices, including the application of chemicals with bare hands and the absence of protective clothing. The video also showed an individual standing directly on a heap of beans without protective gear.
The FDA stressed that preserving food with cement is prohibited under national food safety regulations.
“The FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health,” the statement said.
It also condemned the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene, and direct hand contact with food without protective wear, describing them as violations of acceptable safety standards.
The Authority assured consumers that such practices are not encouraged in Ghana and advised farm produce aggregators and retailers to avoid unsafe preservation methods.
Consumers have also been urged to report any suspicious food handling or preservation activities to the FDA for investigation and possible sanctions.
