The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and National Security, has conducted an enforcement operation at Makola Market in Accra following concerns over the sale of cigarette-shaped candy.
The product, popularly known as “cigarette toffee,” attracted public attention after images and reports of its sale circulated on social media. The candy has raised concerns because of its resemblance to tobacco products.
According to the FDA, the sale and display of such products violate existing laws governing tobacco advertising and promotion in Ghana.
The Authority cited the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2247), which prohibit the advertisement and depiction of tobacco and related products in the media and at points of sale.
During the operation, enforcement officers visited parts of the market where the products were reportedly being sold. Several of the items were seized, while one suspect was arrested.
The FDA said the exercise forms part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that regulated products available on the Ghanaian market meet safety requirements.
The Authority has also intensified monitoring and enforcement activities against products considered unsafe, improperly regulated or potentially harmful, particularly those that may appeal to children.
Further investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the sale and distribution of the seized products and the involvement of the arrested suspect.
By: Rachael Djabakie