The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned manufacturers, importers, and distributors against the importation of unregistered, poor quality, and unhygienically packaged baby diapers into the country.
The Authority in a statement released on April 8, 2024, emphasized that unregistered packed baby diapers popularly known as bale diapers are not permitted into the country, hence, the importation of such products will result in their seizure and safe disposal at a cost to the importer.
“FDA wishes to remind manufacturers, importers, and distributors of baby diapers that baby diapers, popularly known as bale diapers, are not permitted into the country. The importation of unregistered, poor quality, and unhygienically packaged baby diapers into the country will result in their seizure and safe disposal at a cost to the importer.
“The Authority has noted, with great concern, the continuing practice where disposable baby diapers are still imported into the country, either unhygienically packaged in bales or hidden in bales of used clothing. These baby diapers are subsequently repackaged and offered for sale without adequate label information or no labeling information at all.
“The public is to note that materials used for baby diapers are tested by the Authority during the product registration process. This ensures that any dyes, skin irritants, or toxins are absent so as not to cause harm to babies. In addition, handling of bale diapers, frequently re-packed and relabelled under insanitary conditions, can cause germs to enter the genital region of a child, especially a girl child, further posing great danger to their health and well-being,” excerpts of the statement read.
The FDA further urged the public to help ”protect babies from the risk of infections by buying only FDA-registered baby diapers.”
It will be recalled that the FDA on Thursday, April 4, 2024, destroyed 500 bales of substandard baby diapers valued at GH¢3 million, at its recycling plant at Ashiaman, near Tema.
The destruction of the two 40-footer containers of diapers, which were seized from the markets at Kasoa, in the Central Region, Tema in Greater Accra, and the Central Business District of Accra, was to ensure the safety of consumers.
The Head of the Enforcement Directorate of the FDA, Vigil Edward Prah-Ashun, said the products were retrieved from traders during market surveillance exercises in the region from January till date.
Find the full statement below: