Public health: Cement not approved for preserving beans - FDA warns

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against a dangerous food preservation practice circulating online, stressing that cement or any similar powdery substance must never be used to preserve beans or other food items.

In a statement issued in Accra on February 16, 2026, the authority said it had taken notice of a viral video on social media that appears to show beans being mixed with a white powder believed to be concrete cement in an attempt to preserve the produce.

According to the FDA, the method shown is not recognised under Ghanaian agricultural or food preservation standards and has not been endorsed by regulators.

The Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture also does not recommend or approve such a practice, the authority noted.

In a video attached to the statement to illustrate the FDA warning, several people were seen walking in heaps of beans, pouring what looked like cement powder over the beans and sweeping the same into the beans to mix well, as it appeared, all in the name of preserving the foodstuff.

The authority further observed that the language spoken in the footage does not appear Ghanaian.

A translation of the narration reportedly revealed unsafe and unhygienic handling procedures, as individuals were seen applying chemicals with bare hands, without protective wear, while others stood directly on the beans without any protective clothing.

The FDA described these actions as clear violations of acceptable food safety standards.

“The FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of food preservation practices that compromise food safety and public health,” the statement said, adding that the use of unapproved substances, poor hygiene, and direct contact with food using bare hands all pose serious health risks.

The authority reassured the public that such practices are not encouraged or permitted in Ghana and urged farm produce aggregators and retailers to avoid engaging in or promoting unsafe preservation methods.

Consumers have also been advised to report any suspicious food handling or preservation activities to the FDA for investigation and possible sanctions.

Reaffirming its mandate, the regulator said it remains committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet approved safety and quality standards.

The statement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Manso Opuni.