Ghana could face serious public health and economic consequences if swift action is not taken to address the widespread contamination of food and cosmetic products recently revealed by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and UNICEF in a nationwide surveillance exercise.
The exercise uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals, particularly lead and cadmium, in everyday products such as kohl (eyeliner), turmeric, and cereal mixes. While the findings may have left many alarmed, the true danger lies not in the discovery itself, but in what happens next.
Hidden Danger in Everyday Products
For many Ghanaian families, these items are part of daily life. Kohl is used by women and children for beauty or traditional purposes, turmeric is a popular spice in cooking and herbal medicine, and cereal mixes are widely consumed by children. But behind these familiar names lies a hidden danger.
Tests showed that some samples of kohl and turmeric contained lead levels thousands of times higher than what is considered safe. Consuming or using such products can cause lasting brain and nerve damage, especially in children and pregnant women. Cereal mixes were also found to contain cadmium, a toxic metal that can damage the kidneys when consumed over time.
Experts warn that if these contaminated products remain in use, more people could suffer from serious health problems such as kidney disease and developmental challenges in children. This could put further pressure on hospitals and drain families’ savings.
The Hidden Price of Delay
Every day that contaminated products remain on the market, more consumers risk exposure to substances that can cause lifelong harm. The FDA and UNICEF study showed lead levels in some products to be thousands of times above the safe limit, posing a serious threat to children and pregnant women. Lead exposure can impair brain development and learning ability, while cadmium found in cereal mixes can damage kidneys and bones over time.
If regulators delay recalls and stricter enforcement, Ghana may soon face an increase in preventable illnesses especially among children and low-income families who are often the most exposed. The cost of treating heavy metal poisoning, experts estimate, could run into millions of cedis each year, placing new strain on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and household finances.
The Economic Cost of Ignoring the Problem
Beyond the health impact, the cost of inaction could be devastating for Ghana’s economy. When people fall sick, productivity drops, and families spend their hard-earned income on medical care. This could lead to billions of cedis in lost income and slow down economic growth.
Exporters of food and cosmetic products also face a major risk. If news spreads that Ghana’s goods are contaminated, importing countries could restrict or ban such products. That would damage the country’s reputation and cost local businesses millions in lost trade opportunities.
Market women who sell these products could lose their livelihoods as consumers lose confidence. For many of them, these small businesses are their only source of income, and a drop in sales could mean greater hardship for families already struggling with the high cost of living.
Urgent Steps Needed
From the study, experts called on authorities to act quickly to protect lives and livelihoods. High-risk products such as kohl and turmeric should be recalled from the market immediately. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) need to tighten monitoring at the borders and strengthen market surveillance.
There is also a need to update national safety standards to match international benchmarks, especially by setting clear limits for lead and cadmium in food and cosmetics. Public education is equally important so that consumers understand the risks and make safer choices.
Protecting Health, Restoring Trust
This issue is more than a matter of food safety, it touches the heart of national health and economic security. If Ghana delays action, the damage could go beyond illness and affect trade, jobs, and investor confidence.
As one health advocate noted, “This is not only about food and cosmetics. It is about protecting our people and our economy.”
By acting decisively, through product recalls, stricter monitoring, and public awareness, Ghana can prevent a health crisis, save lives, and safeguard livelihoods. But ignoring the problem would only make the cost heavier in the years to come.
