Scientists from the Department of Food Science and Technology at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have found a harmful banned substance in some tomato pastes sold in Ghana.

The substance, called Erythrosine or Red Dye No. 3, is used to add color to foods like toffees, candies, and drinks. It is sometimes labeled as “Number 3.” However, Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) does not allow it in tomato paste because it can be dangerous to health.

Another banned ingredient, starch, was also found in some tomato paste samples during the research. In Ghana, tomato paste and tomato mix are popular because they are a cheaper and more convenient alternative to fresh tomatoes, especially when fresh ones are expensive or out of season.

The study, conducted in Kumasi and Accra, checked the quality of different brands of tomato paste. Eight brands that met labeling requirements were tested. All the samples had the usual red to dark red color, a paste-like texture, and the expected tomato taste.

According to food production rules, tomato paste should contain at least 24% natural tomato. However, some brands had lower tomato content than required.

More concerning, the researchers found Erythrosine in two samples, even though it was not mentioned on the labels. Starch was also found in some products, ranging from 1g to 24g per 100g of tomato paste.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) banned Erythrosine in food because of its health risks. Companies have been given two years to remove it from their products.

Dr. Abena Boakye, the lead researcher from KNUST, urged the Ghana FDA to strengthen its regulations not only for tomato paste but also for candies, drinks, and other foods that may contain this harmful dye.

She called for further research and policy changes to ensure the safety of food products available to Ghanaians.

The researchers also recommended that the findings be used to guide stakeholders in ensuring the availability of safe tomato concentrates and other food products on the market.