A crackdown initiated by the Eastern Regional Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has effectively halted the sale of turkey tail meat in Suhum and Nsawam/Adoagyiri, areas where demand for this product was notably high.
Collaborating with the Ghana Police Service, the operation led to the arrest of several retailers and meat sellers, accompanied by the confiscation of cartons of turkey tail.
In Ghana, this fried turkey tail is commonly referred to as “Tsofi.” Health experts have expressed concerns about this poultry product due to its high fat content, which exceeds 15 percent. Consuming large quantities of such fatty foods could potentially elevate the risk of developing various cancers, including those affecting the lungs, breasts, colon, and brain.
During the operation, the team encountered resistance from the retailers, who responded with insults and allegations of political interference.
They contended that the intention was to create hardships for members of certain political parties by undermining their businesses.
However, the Authority clarified to the Ghana News Agency that its primary commitment was to ensure consumer safety at all times.
Despite widespread public awareness regarding the health hazards associated with the sale of turkey tail, there remained a thriving market for this product, as noted by Madam Anita Owusu-Kuffour, the Eastern Regional Acting Head of the FDA.
She explained that in 1999, the Ministry of Trade and Industry issued a communication to all importers, explicitly stating that poultry and poultry products with a total fat content exceeding 15 percent were prohibited from being imported into the country.
Nevertheless, it was evident that turkey tails had found their way into Ghana, suggesting that they were likely smuggled through unapproved routes or falsely declared at approved entry points.
“We need to make it a collective responsibility to make sure such products are not available on the market for sale,” Madam Owusu-Kuffour said.
She emphasized that those apprehended would face legal proceedings to ensure compliance with the law, serving as a deterrent to others.
The authority conducted the proper disposal of the confiscated meat products.
Mr. George Ampofo Ayeh, the Public Relations Officer of the FDA in the Eastern Region, referenced the Public Health Act of 2012 (Act 851), Section 100, Subsection (3). This section outlines specific criteria that must be met for a food product to be deemed safe for consumption.
These criteria encompass the absence of poisonous or harmful substances, overall suitability for human or animal consumption, the exclusion of filthy, putrid, rotten, decomposed, or diseased components, adherence to prescribed standards, and the avoidance of adulteration or any harm to health.
In the context of penalties and defenses outlined in Section 110, Subsection (1), anyone who violates sections 97 to 108 commits an offense. Penalties for this offense may include fines ranging from 1000 to 7500 penalty units, imprisonment for a minimum of four years to a maximum of fifteen years, or a combination of both.
The FDA’s primary objective is to protect public health by upholding stringent standards that ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of various products. These products encompass drugs, food, cosmetics, medical devices, household chemicals, clinical trials, and tobacco products.