The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with National Security, has seized quantities of an unregistered cigar-shaped candy branded “Cigarette Rod Lollipop” being sold in Accra’s Central Business District.
The seizure was made during a crackdown on the sale of the product over the weekend.
The FDA said the key suspect believed to be behind the sale has been arrested and placed in police custody pending investigations into the importation, distribution and sale of the product.
According to the Authority in a statement released on August 31 , the Cigarette Rod Lollipop has not been registered with the FDA.
The FDA warned that the product could pose a serious public health risk to consumers.
The Authority is particularly concerned about the potential impact on children, noting that the cigarette-shaped appearance of the candy could normalise or encourage smoking behaviour among young people.
The FDA said this could undermine the national campaign against tobacco use and smoking prevention.
It has therefore advised consumers “not to purchase or use this product under any circumstances.”
The Authority also reminded the public that under Section 97(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), it is an offence to manufacture, import, export, distribute, sell, supply or expose food for sale without registration by the FDA.
The Cigarette Rod Lollipop falls within the category of food products regulated by the Authority.
The FDA is urging anyone who comes across the product or other suspected unregistered products being sold to report them through its official channels.
Persons with the product in stock have also been advised to contact the FDA or submit the products to the nearest FDA office.
The Authority is further appealing to anyone with credible information leading to the arrest of the importer or other persons involved in the importation and distribution of the Cigarette Rod Lollipop to come forward.
The FDA said information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality and that persons whose information leads to an arrest will be rewarded.
