FDA, GRA, GSA Threaten To Seize Inappropriately Packaged Imported Baby Diapers

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have threatened to seize improperly packaged baby diapers imported into the country.

The seizure and its subsequent disposal shall be carried out at the cost of the importer, the trio said in a statement.

The caution statement comes following worrying trends of importation of “unhygienically” packaged disposable baby diapers in bales.

According to the joint statement from the three Authorities, the diapers are repackaged and offered for sale subsequently, however, without either adequate labelling information or any labelling information at all.

Dangers
The frequent handling of diapers under insanitary conditions, it said, exposes the genital region of the diaper to germs, the statement pointed out.

Such conditions “poses a great danger to the health and wellbeing of babies and children, especially the girl child.”

The FDA also stated that it confronts challenges guaranteeing the safety of such diapers.

“As such the FDA cannot guarantee the levels of any toxins, dyes or skin irritants that may be present in the unregistered baby diapers.”

It, therefore, served a notice to the manufacturers, importers and distributors of baby diapers to register with the FDA and meet the standards set out by the GSA.

“Furthermore, all registered diapers imported into the country must be well packaged and properly sealed to protect the product from moisture, soiling, contamination and damage during transportation, storage and distribution throughout the product’s life shell.”

Parents have also been directed to purchase only registered diapers.