Accra’s markets and supermarkets are filling with chocolates, soft drinks and holiday hampers as December spending accelerates, but global concerns over food safety are casting a shadow on the festive rush. A case in Bangladesh, where authorities have accused Nestlé of selling substandard products, has triggered fresh scrutiny of packaged foods at a time when consumption typically spikes.
“They have been selling substandard products, putting public health at risk,” said Kamrul Hasan, a food inspector at the Dhaka South City Corporation, after a court issued arrest warrants for senior Nestlé executives. The company denies wrongdoing, but the episode highlights how even established brands can face legal and regulatory pressure when quality is questioned.
The warning comes amid growing global alarm over rising obesity rates, with researchers increasingly linking ultra-processed foods and products high in sugar, salt and additives to chronic illnesses. While regulators in several countries are tightening oversight, Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has not yet issued formal statements on the quality of imported or locally sold packaged foods. The silence has left consumers to exercise greater caution as holiday demand peaks.
Manufacturers and importers are facing a shifting environment in which brand recognition offers less protection against scrutiny. Quality lapses can lead to fines, lawsuits and reputational damage, and in some cases criminal liability. Responding to the Bangladesh accusations, Debabrata Roy Chowdhury, Company Secretary of Nestlé Bangladesh, said: “We strongly disagree with the allegations made regarding KITKAT’s quality. As an imported product, Nestlé prioritises maintaining product quality during the import process, ensuring that items are only marketed after thorough testing.”
Analysts say companies that underestimate rising consumer preference for healthier, clearly labelled products risk losing market share. With regulators becoming more assertive globally, the cost of selling substandard or unhealthy products now extends beyond immediate revenue to long-term brand value.
For shoppers, the Christmas season has become a moment for greater vigilance. Consumers are being urged to read labels carefully, choose minimally processed items and favour brands that provide transparent information on ingredients. In markets where oversight lags international standards, purchasing decisions have become an informal but powerful mechanism for encouraging higher-quality products.
As the festive season drives a surge in food and beverage sales, both producers and consumers face higher stakes. Businesses are under pressure to demonstrate safety and transparency, while shoppers wield increased influence through their spending choices.
