The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a public alert warning against the unsafe practice of preserving beans with a white powdery substance believed to be cement, as shown in a viral video circulating on social media.

The Authority stressed that the method depicted in the footage is not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation traditions and is not endorsed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

In a statement dated February 16, the FDA said the video portrays unsafe handling practices, including the use of chemicals without protective gear and the application of substances with bare hands, all of which contravene established food safety standards.

The Authority further noted that the language spoken in the video is not Ghanaian and clarified that the practice shown does not reflect any approved preservation methods in the country.

The FDA, in collaboration with other stakeholder institutions, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and assured the public that such practices are neither recognised nor encouraged in Ghana.

It advised farm produce aggregators and retailers to refrain from adopting unsafe preservation methods, while urging consumers to report any suspicious food handling activities to the Authority for investigation.