FDA Debunks AGI Report On Imported Frozen Chicken

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has discredited claims that imported frozen chickens are killed at least three years before they get to their destinations.

According to the FDA, the news is “unfortunate”.

Last week, the Association of Ghana Industries-Agriculture Sector told B&FT that imported meat products are injected with preservatives and therefore pose life-threatening implications to consumers.

“This imported meat and chicken were slaughtered years back. They were not killed last month and shipped here the following month. Most have been injected for preservation purposes, and the likelihood of dire health implications are high – including cancer, which is on the rise in Ghana,” Vice Chair of the AGI-Agriculture Sector, Fatima Alimohamed said according to myinfo.com

In reaction to the statement which has gained public attention, the FDA said it uses internationally accredited protocols and procedures in evaluating the safety of such meat products at the port.

The processes, it said, include the evaluation of documents such as a certificate of analysis with detailed test results, a Veterinary Certificate from the country of origin and a Veterinary Import Permit from the Veterinary Service Department in Ghana.

In addition to that, the Authority said it has a mini laboratory at the Tema port that performs testing of meat products before their release.

“In addition, the FDA performs a thorough inspection on each consignment that arrives at the port to ascertain the Product’s compliance to food safety standards,” it said, adding that the test checks for discolouration, odour and packaging integrity and if necessary, confirmatory microbiology tests are conducted.

The Authority said all unwholesome consignments are safely disposed of, with the imposition of sanctions on the importer.

The FDA noted that public safety is its utmost priority.

Meanwhile, it said it will collaborate with AGI and the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers to boost the production and supply of poultry farmers in the country.

It is reported that 600,000 tonnes of frozen chicken worth $600 million were imported from the European Union into the country in 2021.

Source: opemsuo.com/ Hajara Fuseini