The growing practice of inserting sachet water into banku during preparation to prevent it from burning has raised serious public health concerns and is being strongly discouraged by health experts.
Findings indicate that the practice is gaining ground among some food vendors, particularly in urban and fast developing areas across Ghana, where banku remains a widely consumed staple.
According to health experts, sachet water plastics are typically made from materials such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These plastics are not designed to withstand high temperatures and are unsafe for use in cooking.
When exposed to heat, the plastics can release toxic chemicals, including Bisphenol A (BPA) and other harmful compounds. Medical experts warn that prolonged exposure to these substances has been linked to pregnancy complications, developmental problems in children, gastrointestinal irritation, hormonal disruption, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
Experts further caution that food contaminated by heated or melted plastic may not show immediate signs of danger. However, regular consumption can silently damage vital organs over time, posing long-term health risks to consumers.
Public health advocates are therefore urging food vendors and households to adopt safer cooking methods and strictly avoid introducing plastics into food during preparation. They stress that protecting food safety is essential to safeguarding public health, especially given the widespread consumption of banku across the country.
Health authorities are expected to intensify public education to curb the practice and promote safer food-handling habits among vendors and consumers alike.
