The alleged adulteration of palm oil with a substance believed to be Sudan dye has led to the arrest of seven (7) traders in Koforidua, Eastern Region.

The suspects were apprehended following a joint operation conducted by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the police on Friday, April 17.

Earlier monitoring exercises conducted by the FDA on palm oil samples collected from markets in Koforidua had linked two of the suspects to products contaminated with the dye last year.

In 2024, the Food and Drugs Authority issued a strong warning to consumers about the need for extreme caution when buying palm oil due to ongoing concerns about adulteration.

The alert highlighted the FDA’s continued battle against the presence of hazardous substances, particularly the banned ‘Sudan Four’ dye, which has been found in some palm oil products on the market.

This industrial dye, which is prohibited in food products due to its cancer-causing properties, poses a significant health threat to consumers.

Roderick Daddey-Adjei, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, voiced serious concern about the ongoing issue despite the Authority’s strict enforcement measures.

While progress has been made in reducing the amount of contaminated palm oil, Daddey-Adjei stressed that any level of contamination remains unacceptable.

He warned that those responsible for such practices are still active and assured that the FDA, alongside the police, is taking firm action against them, including arrests.

“But we are still not happy about that small percentage that is there, which means that people who perpetrated the activity are still lurking in the dark. And we also want to also let those who think that they can come back and keep on doing this, that their days are numbered. Because already with this one that we even did, we did some arrests, we have handed them over to the police.”

Ghana’s oil palm exports declined by more than 50% in 2024, according to the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG).

The association’s president, Samuel Avaala, attributes this sharp downturn to insufficient government backing and the influx of cheaper foreign alternatives, which have put immense pressure on local producers.

Speaking with Joy Business, Mr Avaala made a strong appeal for protective measures to safeguard the domestic oil palm industry.He urged the government to take decisive action against the uncontrolled importation of foreign palm oil, which continues to undercut local businesses.

"We want to develop it ourselves, and it is in a state where we are not going to be competitive compared to our neighbors. Let's play it safe. It's around 50%. But in recent times, what has happened is that it is probably crossing the 50% mark, leaving the local side to take less than 50%," he said.

The association stressed the urgency of investing in local production capacity to close the widening gap in palm oil supply. Avaala underscored the importance of sound policy measures, exchange rate stability, and efficient liquidity management, stating that a more favorable economic environment would bolster growth in the sector.

Ghana’s annual palm oil consumption stands at approximately 450,000 metric tons, largely driven by demand for vegetable oil.However, domestic production accounts for only 300,000 metric tons, resulting in a substantial 150,000 metric ton deficit that is met through imports.