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Ghana has launched a nationwide probe into reports that plantain chips sold across the country may be contaminated with plastic.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) said it has begun market surveillance and laboratory testing after videos circulated on social media reportedly showed food processors melting polyethene into hot oil during production.
The footage suggested the practice was intended to make the chips crispier and extend their shelf life, according to the Ghana News Agency.
In a statement, the FDA described the alleged practice as a serious violation of food safety standards.
“For the record, deliberate melting of plastic in frying oil is a direct chemical contamination of food, making it unwholesome for human consumption,” the authority said.
The regulator warned that introducing plastics, especially Low-Density Polyethene (LDPE), into cooking oil could pose significant health risks. The FDA noted that the practice “accelerates the leaching of plasticizers, phthalates, and antioxidants from the plastic into the food.”
The agency added that it is collaborating with local authorities and the Ghana Police Service to monitor vendors suspected of unsafe practices. The FDA promised to release laboratory results once investigations are complete.
Food safety concerns in Ghana are not new. Past cases of food poisoning have been linked to contaminated street food, poor hygiene, and weak enforcement of regulations.
In 2022, the FDA shut down a popular fast-food outlet after repeated foodborne illness incidents were traced to the restaurant.
The current investigation is part of the government’s effort to ensure consumer protection and uphold public health standards.
