Ghana launches national plan to tackle heavy metals in food
By Joyce Gyekye Ghana has launched a National Strategic Plan for the Reduction of Heavy Metals in Food, aimed at strengthening food safety systems and reducing exposure to toxic substances including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic. The plan provides a framework for strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity, regulatory action, research and collaboration among institutions to prevent […]
Ghana has introduced a comprehensive National Strategic Plan to reduce heavy metals in food, targeting toxins like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. The plan, launched by Deputy Health Minister Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, emphasizes strengthening food safety systems through improved surveillance, laboratory capacity, regulatory measures, research, and collaboration among institutions.
The Deputy Chief Executive of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Roderick Kwabena Daddey-Adjei, explained that the plan arose from consultations with various stakeholders and offers a framework to curb heavy-metal contamination across the food supply chain. UNICEF highlighted the critical need to address lead exposure in children, citing a blood lead-level survey that found elevated lead levels in children.
The initiative also received support from the Global Director of the Partnership for Lead-Free Future, who pledged continued international assistance, urging Ghana to complement global efforts with its own resources.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
