FDA shuts down alcoholic beverage facility at Senfi, seizes over 1,000 bottles of bitters
The Food and Drugs Authority in the Ashanti Region has shut down an alcoholic beverage manufacturing facility at Senfi in the Bekwai Municipality over alleged illegal operations and unhygienic production conditions.
The Authority has also seized more than one thousand bottles of ARCAN Bitters, five thousand empty bottles bearing the product’s label, and other materials used in the manufacturing process.
The operation follows concerns over the facility’s alleged unlawful activities and the unhygienic conditions under which the alcoholic beverage was being produced.
Ashanti Regional Director of the FDA, Dr. Ashraf Haruna, says the Authority has seized several items from the facility as part of investigations into the operations.
“The FDA says the director of the facility has been invited to assist with investigations but has yet to report to the Authority,” Dr. Haruna stated.
Dr. Haruna says the seized products and materials will be destroyed and will not be allowed onto the market.
The Authority is also investigating concerns over the substances allegedly used in producing the bitters, particularly claims of high levels of medication commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction.
According to the FDA, the manufacturers had previously been cautioned over concerns about the product but allegedly failed to comply with the directive.
The Authority is therefore urging consumers to refrain from purchasing or consuming ARCAN Bitters until further notice.
They warned that the product could pose a risk to public health if its safety concerns are not addressed.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng
