The Eastern Regional Manager of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Anita Owusu-Kuffour, has called for an immediate nationwide ban on the production and use of locally made metal cooking pots, popularly known as “Dadesen,” following alarming discoveries of lead contamination in their manufacture.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting on heavy metal contamination in cereal-legume blends at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality, Madam Owusu-Kuffour revealed that FDA investigations confirmed the deliberate use of harmful lead by some local artisans in crafting these pots.
According to her, the lead is intentionally added to soften the metal, making it easier to mold. However, this practice poses severe health risks to consumers. “When they are making the pots, the metal becomes hard, so they add lead to soften it. The unfortunate thing is that most local producers are unaware of the health dangers,” she explained.
She cautioned that regular use of cookware tainted with lead could result in serious long-term health conditions, including cancer, kidney failure, and Parkinson’s disease. Owusu-Kuffour further explained that when food is prepared in such pots, the heat causes the lead to leach into the food, making it unsafe for consumption.
The FDA official therefore urged local manufacturers to adopt safer alternatives such as stainless steel, which is both durable and harmless to human health