FDA Debunks Viral Cement Preservation Claim
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that cement is being used to preserve beans in Ghana, cautioning the public against engaging in or promoting such dangerous practices.
In a press statement dated February 16, 2026, the Authority addressed a viral video that allegedly shows beans being mixed with a white powdery substance suspected to be concrete cement. According to the FDA, the method captured in the footage does not represent approved food preservation techniques in Ghana and is not recognised under the country’s food safety standards.
The regulator clarified that the practice is neither sanctioned nor endorsed by the Plant Protection and Regulation Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. It stressed that Ghana’s regulatory framework strictly prohibits the use of cement or any unapproved chemical substances in the handling or preservation of food products.
Following a review of the video, the FDA indicated that the language spoken in the footage does not appear to be Ghanaian. A translated version of the narration reportedly exposes several unsafe and unhygienic procedures, including the handling of chemicals with bare hands and the absence of protective clothing during food processing.
The footage also shows an individual stepping directly onto a pile of beans without protective gear, an act the Authority described as a serious breach of acceptable food safety protocols.
“The FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health,” the statement emphasised. The Authority further condemned poor hygiene standards, direct hand contact with food without protective wear, and the use of unapproved substances as violations of established safety regulations.
The FDA reassured consumers that such methods are not practiced or encouraged in Ghana. It urged farmers, aggregators, and retailers to adhere strictly to approved preservation guidelines and called on the public to report any suspicious food handling activities for investigation and possible sanctions.
