The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has moved to clarify that a widely circulated video showing beans allegedly being preserved with a white powder suspected to be cement did not originate from Ghana, following preliminary investigations.

The video, which sparked public concern on social media, depicts individuals walking over heaps of beans, pouring a powdery substance over them, and sweeping it through the grains purportedly to preserve them.

In a statement issued in Accra on February 16, 2026, the FDA stressed that the practices shown in the video are foreign to Ghanaian food handling standards and are not recognised or approved locally.

“Our preliminary review indicates that the language spoken in the video is not Ghanaian, and the procedures depicted fall far below acceptable food safety standards,” the authority said.

The regulator highlighted serious breaches of hygiene and safety in the video, including individuals handling beans with bare hands, applying chemicals without protective equipment, and standing directly on the produce.

“Such actions compromise food safety and public health. The FDA, together with its stakeholder institutions, does not approve of preservation practices that put consumers at risk,” the statement added.

The FDA reassured the public that the unsafe preservation methods shown are not part of any approved agricultural practice in Ghana.

“Consumers should not associate these practices with our local food systems. Farm produce aggregators and retailers are urged to adhere strictly to approved methods, and the public should report any suspicious food handling activities,” the authority advised.

Reaffirming its commitment, the FDA concluded, “We remain dedicated to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all food products on the Ghanaian market meet established safety and quality standards.”