Unapproved materials in mattresses pose health risks — GSA
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has warned consumers against mattresses made with unapproved materials, saying they could pose serious health and safety risks. According to the authority, some manufacturers were replacing polyurethane foam with materials intended for packaging, potentially exposing users to chemical emissions that could cause respiratory irritation, back and neck pain, poor…
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has issued a warning to consumers regarding mattresses made with unapproved materials, which could lead to serious health and safety hazards. According to the GSA, certain manufacturers are substituting polyurethane foam with packaging-grade materials, potentially exposing users to harmful chemical emissions that may result in respiratory issues, back and neck pain, spinal misalignment and other health complications.
Dr Benjamin Tawia, Chairman of the GSA Technical Committee on Foams and Mattresses, revealed these findings during a press conference in Accra. Investigations by the GSA have uncovered the use of polystyrene and other unapproved polyethylene-based materials in some mattress manufacturing processes. Dr Tawia explained that these materials, often used for packaging purposes, are not intended for direct human contact or bedding use.
They could potentially release volatile organic compounds and other chemical emissions while failing to offer the necessary support for proper spinal alignment. Additionally, Dr Tawia cautioned that mattresses made with unapproved materials might not comply with required flammability and safety standards, thereby raising fire risks.
To enforce the standards, the GSA, alongside the Ghana Police Service SWAT team, conducted a two-day operation on May 18 and 19, 2026, to seize mattress manufacturing facilities in the Greater Accra Region and Ashaiman. The affected companies included Yin Yuan Jia Limited, Mooda/Monda Ghana Mattresses, Hue Sheng Company, Asano Service, ZXZ Company Limited, Rockfoam Mattresses and 5A Home Company.
Dr Tawia urged consumers to exercise caution when purchasing mattresses, especially those that are unusually cheap or emit a strong chemical odor, as these could be indicative of substandard products. He recommended purchasing mattresses made of 100% polyurethane foam that bear the GSA certification mark, GS 1211:2019. Dr Tawia also cautioned consumers against unusually low-priced "memory foam" mattresses, suggesting such prices as a potential warning sign.
Consumers are advised to buy mattresses from registered or licensed retailers and report any suspected fake or unapproved products to the GSA via the provided contact numbers.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
