The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a strong public warning against a viral social media video purportedly showing how beans can be preserved using a white powder believed to be concrete cement, describing the practice as unsafe, unapproved, and dangerous to public health.
In a statement released on Monday, February 16, 2026, the Authority cautioned that the method demonstrated in the video is not part of any recognised Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation practices and has not been approved or recommended by the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
According to the FDA, a closer assessment of the viral footage revealed that the language spoken is not Ghanaian. A translated version of the narration further exposed multiple breaches of food safety standards, including the handling of beans with bare hands, the application of unknown chemicals without protective gear, and an individual standing directly on heaps of beans.
“The use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene practices, direct contact with food using bare hands, and lack of protective gear are all contrary to acceptable food safety standards,” the Authority stressed.
The FDA, working in collaboration with relevant stakeholder institutions, reiterated that it does not endorse any food preservation methods that compromise public health and safety, assuring the public that such practices are neither encouraged nor permitted in Ghana.
Farm produce aggregators, distributors, and retailers have been cautioned against engaging in or promoting unsafe food preservation methods, while consumers have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious food handling or preservation practices to the Authority for investigation and possible sanctions.
The FDA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products available on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards, urging the public to disregard misleading and potentially harmful content circulating on social media.
