A wave of social media rumours about alleged food contamination is beginning to take a toll on street food vendors across Accra and other parts of Ghana, with many sellers reporting a sharp drop in sales and growing anxiety about their livelihoods.
The controversy began with online claims suggesting that some yam vendors were adding unknown substances during frying. Soon after, similar allegations surfaced against plantain chip sellers, with posts claiming that rubber was being added to frying oil to make the chips last longer and appear more attractive. The rumours escalated further with claims that insecticides were being sprayed on certain meat products sold on the streets.
Though none of the claims have been officially verified, the damage to consumer confidence has been swift.
Many customers say they are now hesitant to buy their usual roadside snacks, fearing potential health risks. For the vendors who rely on daily sales to survive, the impact has been immediate.
Around Madina, one plantain chip seller said business has slowed significantly in recent days. “Sales are going down,” she said, adding that she had no idea where the rumours were coming from.
Yam vendors have echoed similar concerns, saying the panic is largely driven by misinformation circulating online. Some worry that if the situation continues, many small traders could lose the businesses they depend on to support their families.
Street food vending forms a vital part of Ghana’s informal economy, providing jobs for thousands of people and supporting farmers and suppliers across the country’s agricultural value chain. When sales drop, the effects ripple beyond the roadside stalls to the farmers who grow plantains, yams and other produce.
For many observers, the situation highlights the need for swift intervention by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). Consumers and traders alike are calling for investigations to determine whether any of the allegations are true.
They argue that if wrongdoing is discovered, those responsible should face sanctions. At the same time, honest vendors should be publicly cleared to help restore trust in the sector.
Experts say stronger collaboration between the FDA, environmental health officers and local district assemblies could help improve routine monitoring of street food vendors. Training programmes and clearer safety guidelines could also help vendors adopt better food handling practices.
For now, many traders simply hope that clarity will come soon.
Without swift action to separate facts from rumours, they fear that Ghana’s vibrant street food culture — and the livelihoods behind it could suffer lasting damage.
