"No contaminated Coca-Cola products from Belgium in Ghana" - FDA assures public

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has assured the Ghanaian public that no contaminated Coca-Cola products from Belgium have entered the local market.

This follows recent reports of a recall by Coca-Cola Belgium due to high levels of chlorate found in some of its beverages.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko, the affected brands include bottled Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, Minute Maid, canned Appletiser, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero.

These products, identified by production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE, were recalled across Europe between November 23 and December 3, 2024.

Dr. Darko emphasized that no Coca-Cola products from Belgium have been registered for sale in Ghana, nor have any been officially imported into the country through designated entry points since November 2023.

Additionally, market surveillance conducted by the FDA has found no traces of these affected products in Ghanaian retail outlets.

To provide further clarity, the FDA listed the only approved imported Coca-Cola products in Ghana, which originate from Algeria, Liberia, South Africa, Tunisia, Nigeria, the UK, USA, and Canada.

Locally manufactured Coca-Cola products, including Coke, Sprite, Fanta, and Lime-Lemon, are produced under strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards and undergo FDA approval before distribution.

Dr. Darko reaffirmed the FDA’s commitment to monitoring and ensuring the safety of food and beverages in Ghana.

The FDA will continue surveillance in collaboration with other agencies to prevent the circulation of any unsafe products.

Consumers who suspect the presence of Coca-Cola products from Belgium on the Ghanaian market are urged to report immediately to the nearest FDA office.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith