Ghana launches five-year plan to reduce heavy metals in food

Ghana has launched the National Strategic Plan for Heavy Metals Reduction in Food (2026–2030), a five-year initiative designed to address contamination of lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in the food supply. The plan aims to protect public health, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women, while safeguarding the country’s agricultural export markets.

Government assessments revealed significant contamination levels in several products. Specifically, 29 percent of cereal-based mixed food samples exceeded permitted cadmium limits, 42.09 percent of turmeric samples contained lead levels above the allowed threshold, and 24.6 percent of bentonite products exceeded permitted lead limits. Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Grace Ayensu-Danquah noted that while skin-lightening creams tested complied with mercury standards, the findings necessitate targeted regulatory action to prevent damage to consumer confidence and the national economy.

The framework, supported by UNICEF, focuses on strengthening regulation, surveillance, laboratory capacity, and industry compliance. Implementation involves coordination between the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.