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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against the use of cement or any unapproved substance in preserving beans, following a viral video circulating on social media.
In a press release issued in Accra on February 16, 2026, the Authority stated that the method portrayed in the video, which allegedly demonstrates the preservation of beans using a white powdery substance believed to be concrete cement, is not approved in Ghana.
According to the FDA, the practice shown in the video is not part of Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation methods. It further clarified that the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture does not recommend or endorse such a preservation technique.
The Authority noted that a careful review of the video revealed unsafe and unhygienic handling practices. Chemicals were reportedly applied with bare hands without appropriate protective wear, while an individual was seen standing on heaps of beans without protective clothing — actions the FDA described as contrary to acceptable food safety standards.
The FDA emphasised that it does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise public health and safety. It warned farm produce aggregators and retailers to refrain from engaging in or promoting unsafe preservation methods.
Consumers were also encouraged to report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the Authority for investigation and possible sanctions.
The FDA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.
Yaw Boagyan
