The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with National Security, has seized quantities of an unregistered cigar-shaped candy branded “Cigarette Rod Lollipop” being sold in Accra’s Central Business District.
The seizure was made during a weekend crackdown on the sale of the product, with the key suspect believed to be behind its distribution arrested and placed in police custody pending investigations.
The FDA said the product has not been registered with the Authority and could pose a public health concern, particularly for children.
According to the Authority, the cigarette-like appearance of the candy could normalise or encourage smoking behaviour among young people and undermine efforts to prevent tobacco use.
The FDA has therefore urged the public not to purchase or use the product under any circumstances. It also reminded businesses and individuals that the manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of unregistered food products is an offence under the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
The Authority is calling on anyone who comes across the product or other suspected unregistered products to report them to the FDA. Persons with the lollipop in stock have also been advised to contact or submit the products to the nearest FDA office.
The FDA further appealed for credible information that could lead to the arrest of other persons involved in the importation and distribution of the product, assuring informants that their identities would be kept confidential and that rewards would be given where information leads to an arrest.