When Food Is Compromised, Public Health Is at Risk

At Turning Point Foundation, we are deeply concerned by recent reports highlighted by the Food and Drugs Authority warning against the alleged use of building cement in preserving beans shown in a viral video. The Authority has made it unequivocally clear that this method is unsafe, unapproved, and not recognised under any acceptable food handling or preservation standards in Ghana.

It further cautioned that the use of non-food substances, poor hygiene, and unregulated practices pose a direct risk to public health. This is not merely a matter of regulatory compliance but also is a matter of human safety, dignity, and trust in the food we place on our tables and bodies.

Cement Is a Construction Material, Not a Food Additive

Cement is designed to bind stone and sand, not to be consumed. It contains highly alkaline compounds and industrial minerals that react aggressively with moisture. When ingested, these reactions can cause chemical burns to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, leading to pain, vomiting, and possible internal injury.

Cement can also harden inside the body, forming masses that block the intestines and create life threatening complications. Harmful trace elements present in construction grade materials may accumulate over time, placing strain on organs such as the kidneys and disrupting normal body functions. Even indirect exposure is dangerous, as cement dust can contaminate food and irritate the respiratory system when inhaled.

A Threat to Public Confidence and Food Security

Food safety is not only about preventing illness but also about preserving trust between producers, traders, and consumers. When unsafe preservation practices surface, they cast doubt on entire supply chains, including those operated responsibly. For farmers and vendors who follow proper storage methods, such incidents undermine livelihoods. For families, they introduce fear into something as fundamental as preparing a meal.

Safe preservation techniques already exist. Proper drying, clean storage, moisture control, and approved pest management methods protect produce without exposing consumers to chemical hazards. The challenge is not the absence of solutions, but the need for stronger awareness and accountability.

Protecting What Sustains Us

Food is not just something we trade or consume. It underpins health, human dignity, and the strength of a nation. Protecting it demands vigilance, respect for science, and a shared commitment to do no harm. Materials meant for construction have no place in what nourishes our bodies. We must never endanger lives in the name of preservation, convenience, or profit.