A study conducted by food scientists at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has uncovered the presence of a banned chemical in certain tomato paste brands sold in Ghana.

The substance, Erythrosine also known as Red Dye No. 3—is commonly used as a color additive in candies, beverages, and other food products. While it may appear on packaging as “Number 3,” its use in tomato paste is strictly prohibited by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) due to potential health risks.

The research, carried out in Kumasi and Accra, sought to assess the quality of tomato concentrates available on the market. Eight brands that met standard labeling requirements were analyzed.

Although all samples exhibited the expected red to dark-red color, thick consistency, and tomato flavor, discrepancies were found in their composition.

Some brands contained less than the required 24% natural tomato content, while others tested positive for starch—an ingredient not permitted in tomato paste.

Alarmingly, Erythrosine was detected in two of the sampled brands despite not being declared on their labels. Starch levels varied between 1g/100g and 24g/100g, raising further concerns about product authenticity.

The study’s findings, published in the International Journal of Food Science, come at a time when global health regulators are tightening restrictions on harmful food additives.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) imposed a complete ban on Erythrosine, giving manufacturers two years to eliminate it from food products.

Lead researcher Dr. Abena Boakye urged Ghana’s FDA to expand its oversight beyond tomato paste and ensure that other food items, such as candies and beverages, do not contain the prohibited dye.

She emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations and called for further research to protect consumers from harmful substances in processed foods.

The researchers also recommended that stakeholders in the food industry take immediate action to improve quality standards, ensuring that all tomato-based products and other packaged foods meet health and safety guidelines.