The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has urged for an immediate ban on the production, importation, and sale of locally made cooking pots known as Dadesen pots, citing serious health risks from lead contamination.
According to the Authority, laboratory analyses revealed that some of these pots, which are widely used in Ghanaian households, contain dangerous levels of lead. The FDA explained that lead often enters the cookware during the recycling process of scrap metals used in their manufacture.
Lead, a highly toxic heavy metal, can leach into food during cooking, posing significant health dangers to consumers. Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to lead can cause severe damage to the brain, kidneys, and nervous system, and is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women.
The FDA has therefore cautioned the public to stop using Dadesen pots and called on local authorities to help enforce a nationwide ban to prevent further exposure. It also emphasized the need for increased public education on the dangers of using unapproved or locally fabricated cooking utensils.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through regular market surveillance and enforcement of food safety standards.
