‘Dadesen’ could cause cancer, kidney failure – FDA warns

The Eastern Regional Manager of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Anita Owusu-Kuffour, has called for an immediate prohibition on locally produced cooking pots commonly known as “Dadesen”.

According to Madam Anita, FDA investigations have uncovered hazardous levels of lead utilised in the manufacturing of these pots, cautioning that such contamination presents significant health risks to consumers.

She made this appeal during a stakeholder meeting focused on heavy metal contamination in cereal-legume mixtures, which took place in Somanya, located in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region.

She elaborated that FDA monitoring has shown that lead, a harmful heavy metal, is frequently incorporated during the production of “Dadesen” pots to soften the metal and facilitate moulding.

Nevertheless, she warned that this practice puts users at risk of severe health issues, including cancer, kidney failure, and Parkinson’s disease.

“When they are making the pots, the metal becomes hard, so they add lead to soften it. The sad part is that most local manufacturers have no idea about the health implications,” she noted.

“We are, therefore, advising the public to stop using ‘Dadesen’ that contains lead,” she added.