The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says it has identified some skin lightening products which it has not certified or registered on the Ghanaian market through its market surveillance activities. 

Head of Cosmetics and Household Chemical Substance Department of the Authority, Emmanuel Nkrumah, has therefore advised against the patronage and use of such products saying.

He said those who use such products will have themselves to blame since the FDA could not guarantee the product's safety portfolio and quality.

Although the Authority did not give out the names of the said products he added that investigation has commenced to determine how the products got into the country for the necessary action to be taken. 

Mr Nkrumah said although some skin lightening products had been approved by the Authority, they could be banned if data suggested that they had health consequences.  

He cautioned against the casual use of different cosmetic products which have been mixed together with the believe that it can get a  skin lighten faster. 

According to him, the FDA is equally worried about the development where people resorted to the use of “glutathione pills”, a supposedly bleaching pill that is taken orally to lighten the colour of their unborn children.

Mr Nkrumah explained that glutathione was an antioxidant capable of preventing damage to important cells in the body while boosting the immune system, debunking the claim that it could tone the skin.

Head of Communications at the FDA, James Lartey

He warned that long-term suppression of melanin through the use of prohibited cosmetics and drugs could cause liver and kidney problems, skin cancer and skin thinning.

Mr Nkrumah said the Authority was constantly on the lookout to clamp down on such illegal cosmetics adding that, the FDA existed to protect public health and safety.

Head of Communications at the FDA, James Lartey, said the Authority was enforcing the restricted time of advertisement of alcoholic beverages on radio and Television stations, which was from 6 am to 8 pm to prevent excessive exposure of the products to children.

He said alcohol was one of the widely abused substances among the youth all over the world, but underage excessive drinking posed enormous public health and safety risks on the nation’s health care system and therefore must be prevented.

According to him, the initiative was a good public intervention that ought to be supported.

Mr Lartey said the FDA would continue to monitor the various radio and TV stations to ensure that the Authority’s guidelines for advertisement on foods were complied with while ensuring that against those who flouted them were dealt with.