The FDA and CPA seized 140 packs and 50 pieces of unregistered baby diapers and detained 203 more after visiting some 123 shops in Cape Coast, Kasoa and their adjoining communities.

While some sellers cooperated with the officers, others resisted unsuccessfully.

The exercise, carried out from Monday to Wednesday, formed part of a grand and continuous effort to rid the market of all unregistered medical devices including diapers, sanitary pads and condoms, to safeguard public health.

The unregistered baby diapers were imported in bales from various countries and repackaged in unlabelled plastic bags, most often, under gravely unhygienic conditions, which exposed babies to dire health risks.

On many occasions, these diapers have been linked to some health conditions among babies, particularly nappy rash.

Madam Francisca Anokye, the Central Regional Head of FDA, highlighting the risks associated with the use of the unregistered baby diapers, indicating that the exercise was intended to protect younger children.
She cautioned the public against patronising the unregistered diapers and admonished retailers, wholesalers and importers to register their products and license their storage facilities.

“Diapers are normally sealed in packs and registered and so when they are repackaged under no supervision or sold in singles, FDA cannot guarantee the safety because it could be contaminated and would affect our vulnerable babies,” she said.

Madam Anokye explained that the diapers had been seized and detained for further regulatory actions, adding that surveillance would continue to ensure that the market was free of unregistered diapers.
She furthers warned traders against selling the detained items because they would be sanctioned in accordance with the Public Health Act 2012 (Act 851).