Ghana introduces 5-year plan to curb heavy metal contamination in foods

Ghana has launched a new National Strategic Plan for Heavy Metals Reduction in Food, covering the period 2026–2030, as part of efforts to improve food safety and protect public health.

The five-year strategy is designed to reduce exposure to toxic substances, including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, which can enter the food chain through environmental pollution, farming activities, food processing and packaging.

Children and pregnant women remain among the groups most susceptible to the harmful effects of heavy-metal exposure.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, stressed the importance of food safety to Ghana’s development.

She noted that stronger food safety systems could help protect consumers, boost confidence in locally produced foods, support businesses and improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian products.

The strategy will focus on improving regulation and monitoring, strengthening laboratory and research capacity, promoting compliance within the food industry, and increasing public education on heavy-metal risks.

The Deputy Minister also acknowledged UNICEF’s technical and financial assistance and urged stakeholders to remain committed to the effective implementation of the plan.

Meanwhile, FDA Deputy Chief Executive, Mr Roderick Daddey-Adjei, said the strategy was developed following broad stakeholder consultations.

He added that, with support from UNICEF, the FDA had undertaken studies to generate evidence on heavy-metal contamination in selected food products.

The launch was attended by representatives from key government institutions, development partners, academia, industry and civil society, including the Ministry of Health, FDA, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Standards Authority, Minerals Commission and UNICEF.

The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration across the food safety sector and contribute to safer food and healthier communities.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith