HEALTH
5 Accra markets sell ‘dangerous’ food items to consumers – Research
Information available to YEN.com.gh suggests that traders at five markets in Accra are selling food items of low quality to consumers.
This was contained in the findings of a research conducted at the selected markets, which are very popular in Ghana.
The markets are located at Agbogbloshie, Dome, Kaneshie, Makola and Okaishie, all of which are in Accra.
The research revealed that food sold in these markets are generally of very poor nutritional quality, according to Dr Mavis Owureku-Asare, a food safety consultant.
Dr Owureku-Asare examined tomatoes, oranges, pineapples, garden eggs, cocoyam leaves (Kontomire), as well as proteins such as shrimps and fish powder as sold at markets.
According to a Myjoyonline report, she added that markets have an impact on foods because of the effects of handling, storage and display of these foods.
For instance with oranges, she said, the open display of the fruit in the sun and on the floor, considerably affects the Vitamin C content.
“Vitamin C quickly breaks down in the heat and evaporates easily out of the fruit. What is orange without Vitamin C,” she quizzed.
Dr. Owureku-Asare added that cancer-fighting substances like lycopene and other antioxidants in tomatoes are easily being destroyed at these markets, a measure of market conditions across the country.
She also observed that significant amounts of pesticide residue in some foods like cabbage, lettuce, okro, “kontomire”, maize and beans from misapplication of pesticides have significant health implications.
Groundnut paste is mixed with powder made from dried cassava (Konkonte) while more than 98% of palm oil is adulterated with cancer-causing agents, her research revealed.
Shrimp, as well as fish powder, was also found to have been mixed with sawdust, describing the practice as food fraud.
Source: yen.com.gh
-
Lifestyle1 month ago
Road Safety Authority narrates how buttocks causes road accident
-
GENERAL NEWS2 months ago
Why 15 police officers stormed Owusu Bempah’s church – Kumchacha narrates
-
GENERAL NEWS1 month ago
Watch how Ibrahim Mahama rode Honda superbike to pay last respects to late friend
-
GENERAL NEWS2 months ago
How Offinso residents storm destooled queen mother’s house, demand for new chief
-
South Africa News2 months ago
Woman thrown out of a speeding taxi while on her way to work
-
GENERAL NEWS4 weeks ago
Deadly clash between youth and navy personnel results in two deaths at Tema Manhean
-
SHOWBIZ KONKONSAH4 weeks ago
Junior Pope’s Death: Video of John Dumelo refusing to join canoe for movie shoot over safety concerns resurfaces
-
News Africa2 months ago
‘Satanically dubious’ – SCOAN releases statement on BBC’s report about TB Joshua, church