Roadside fried foods pose health risks – Dietician warns

Renowned dietician Mrs. Efua Owusu Ansah has warned of the health implications associated with consuming roadside foods prepared with oil, particularly fried ones.

According to her, most food vendors overuse oil, stretching it to the point where it creates health risks rather than providing essential nutrients.

The Principal Dietician at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital made this known on the Kumasi-based OTEC 102.9 FM’s morning show Nyansapo on Thursday June 5, 2025.

Discussing the importance of healthy living on the show’s health segment, Mrs. Owusu Ansah underscored the dangers of overheating oil, calling on consumers to be vigilant.

“For the past 12 years, we have observed that most of these food vendors can use their one oil for frying food for over two weeks without changing it,” she revealed.

“They only add fresh oil to the old one, making it dangerous to human health.” Mrs. Owusu Ansah emphasized that while some amount of oil is good for the body, overusing it can be harmful.

Mrs. Owusu Ansah called on the public to be mindful of what they eat, particularly on the streets, to avoid terminal illnesses. She urged Ghanaians to prioritize healthy eating habits and be cautious of the food they consume from roadside vendors.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng