Turmeric, Tom Brown, and Ayilor Found to Contain Heavy Metals – FDA Report

A new National Summary Report by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revealed worrying levels of heavy metal contamination in foods and cosmetics sold in Ghana. Conducted across all 16 regions with support from UNICEF, the assessment tested for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Mercury (Hg) in everyday products such as turmeric, cereal mixes (Tom Brown), bentonite clay (“Ayilor”), kohl (“Kaji Kaji”), and certain skin-lightening creams.

The findings showed that kohl was the most contaminated product, with 77.79% of samples testing positive for lead — and in the Upper East and Eastern regions, contamination reached 100%. Turmeric also recorded a 42.09% contamination rate for lead, particularly in the Greater Accra and Central regions, while cereal mixes contained 29% cadmium contamination and bentonite clay recorded 24.62% lead contamination.

The FDA has begun nationwide recalls of contaminated turmeric and is tightening inspections at Ghana’s ports. Deputy Chief Executive of the FDA’s Food Division, Roderick Kwabena Dadie Agyei, stressed the urgent need to trace food sources, warning that galamsey activities may be driving contamination.

He cautioned that heavy metals are linked to birth defects and serious health problems, and called for changes in farming practices. UNICEF Ghana’s Health Specialist, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Kyerematen Amoah, added that even the smallest amount of lead can damage children’s organs, lower IQ, and trigger kidney and heart diseases. He urged stronger regulations, saying, “This report is not the end; it is a call to decisive action. We owe it to our children and future generations to make Ghana safe from the devastating effects of lead.”