Stop Using Fake Sudan IV Dye For Palm Oil Production - FDA Boss Cautions Palm Oil Producers

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mrs Delese Mimi Darko, has cautioned oil palm producers in the country to immediately desist from the use of what she described as fake Sudan IV Dye in their oil palm production as the palm oil production goes digital.

Mrs Darko acknowledged the good initiative that the members of Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association have put in place to help curb the menace of SUDAN IV Dye in Ghana.

Following the warning statement, the FDA Boss, however, emphasized her outfit's commitment to continue sampling and testing palm oil every year to sanction those found of putting unwholesome chemicals in their palm oil.

 She continued to encourage members of the Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association to get other palm oil producers to join them to help in curbing the menace of SUDAN IV Dye.

"We would sample and test all palm oil in the market, we are pleading with the producers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers and the public to refrain from the use of Sudan IV in palm oil," the FDA boss made this foregoing statement when she was speaking at the official launch of the new palm oil production digital application #PalmOilGoesDigital app in Accra.

For his part, the President of Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association, Mr Paul Amaning assured consumers that they are going to do everything possible to make sure they help FDA to curb the menace of SUDAN IV Dye in the market.

"So that is the reason why our association have developed a new digital application to support government and FDA to win the fight against the fake SUDAN IV Dye in the market," he further assured.

"The purpose of the new digital application launched is to ensure authentic and healthy Palm oil is sold in the Ghanaian market. 

The app has functions to detect if the Quick Response (QR) code of the branded palm oil is coming from an approved Food and Drugs Authority approved producer or not before the consumer decides to purchase. 

The app can also display information about the producers of Palm Oil with their pictures and their location for consumers to easily identify the origin of the Palm Oil.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tree Crop Development Authority who chaired the programme also welcome the new digital application for palm oil production in the country and called on Ghanaians to pray for its sustainability. 

Some special guests who were present to support the launching of the PALM OIL AAP include Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for National Food Buffer Stock Company, Miss Eunice Adjorkor, representing Ghana Enterprise Agency.

The function was also attended by the Members of Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and out-growers Association from Eastern Region, Central Region and other parts of Ghana, together with groups such as Students from the Department of Information Technology at PENTECOST UNIVERSITY, Executives of Okyeman Youth For Development, Apedwa Youth Club, Oil Palm Development Association Ghana and Solidarida Ghana.

Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent