Last week was another sad moment for the Ghanaian consumer as Sudan IV dye, a dangerous cancer-causing chemical, was reported to have been found in some samples of palm oil (dzomi) collected from identified markets in the Volta Region.
The story revealed the level of insensitivity and greed on the part of the individuals in the trade who have taken advantage of the laxity in the system to exploit the consumer.
There are four Sudan dyes, namely: Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV. This dye is also known as the Scarlet red. These dyes were being used in the food industry until it was banned from being used as a food dye in the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations report of 1995 in the UK. The reason was that these dyes are mutagenic and carcinogenic (causes cancer). They however cleared the dyes to be used in non-food industries. They are used in colouring shoe and floor polishes, solvents, waxes and petrol. In cases where they’ve been found in food products, the products have been recalled.
Apparently, Sudan IV dye in palm oil was detected outside Ghana as far back as April 2015. In Britain for example, the Foods Standard Agency (FSA) issued a recall notice specifically to a cash and carry outfit that stocked unlabelled Ghanaian palm oil and which was said to have contained the carcinogenic Sudan dye.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) said it is working towards certifying traders in palm oil in the Volta Region, adding that, “the certification is to help bring some regulation into the industry and ensure that the public consumed quality palm oil.”
Eugene Addo, the Regional Director of the Authority, said out of 118 samples tested, 30 of the palm oil had traces of Sudan IV dye, an indication that there was adulteration of the product in the chain.
He described the percentage of adulteration as alarming and warned that after the sensitisation and certification, culprits would be dealt with severely.
Mr. Addo said the Authority was compiling a database for traders in the palm oil industry, after which it would give tags for easy identification by the public as certified dealers.
Madam Theresa Mansah Dagbe, the Ho Market Queen, commended the FDA for the efforts at protecting consumers and urged it to visit the market regularly to help check substandard foods and drugs.
Some dealers in palm oil expressed concern about the adulteration of the product, saying that they were frustrated about their inability to detect fake products from suppliers.
By John Kelly
