A concerned citizen has alerted the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of the presence of fake olive oil in the market, calling for urgent action to protect public health and consumer rights.

Charles Benoni Okine, a resident of Dansoman in Accra, said he noticed an anomaly when he went to buy olive oil at Okasishie market. He said he saw two bottles of the same brand, but with different sizes, both labelled as 70ml.

"That was not only strange, but a clear demonstration of a deliberate attempt to sell to the unsuspecting public, fake olive oils," he said.

He explained that olive oil is a valuable product that has many benefits for health, cooking and spirituality. He said olive oil comes from olive fruit and contains monounsaturated fatty acids, which can lower cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects.

He said olive oil is also used as a medicine for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. He added that olive oil has a spiritual significance in Jewish tradition and biblical texts, as it symbolises the divine presence and is used for anointing.

"From these known uses for olive oils, it is clear that fake ones on the market could be injurious to human health, that’s for those who use them for cooking," he said.

He urged the FDA to act now to stop this practice and rid the markets of these products. He said there are too many fake products in the open that pose a threat to consumers.

This is not the first time that fake olive oil has been reported in Ghana. In 2016, the FDA issued a press exposing some fake brands of olive oil on the market, such as Pinno Olive Oil, Kazmor Olive Oil, Quality Olive Oil and Holy Oil.

The FDA said it arrested the culprits who were assisting the police in their investigations. The FDA also assured the general public of its resolve in ensuring the protection of public health and safety.

Read the full piece [as published on graphic.com.gh] belowI wish to draw the attention of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to a development in the market that requires attention.

While at the market at Okasishie in Accra to buy olive oil, I chanced upon this brand and noticed an anomaly, which clearly pointed to the fact that the product was fake.

Two bottles, one bigger than the other, were both labelled as 70ml.

That was not only strange, but a clear demonstration of a deliberate attempt to sell to the unsuspecting public, fake olive oils.

Olive oil comes from olive fruit and contains monounsaturated fatty acids.

Fatty acids in olive oil seem to decrease cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Olive oil is commonly used in foods.

As a medicine, people most commonly use olive oil for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Spiritually, olive oil produces a great flame with less smoke.

In Jewish tradition, olive oil symbolises the divine presence.

In the biblical text, olive oil is the main element of anointing.

It is used in the royal sacraments and the sacrament of baptism.

From these known uses for olive oils, it is clear that fake ones on the market could be injurious to human health, that’s for those who use them for cooking.

The FDA must act now to stop this practice.

There are too many fake products in the open and the time to rid the markets of these products should be now.

Charles Benoni OkineDansoman, Accra