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HEALTH

Madina Market Chemical Ripening Scare Triggers Enforcement Action

A viral video from the Madina Market has raised concerns over the alleged use of unapproved chemicals to artificially accelerate the ripening of plantains and other fruits.

Date Created : 8/19/2026 : Story Author : Theresa Workartey/ Ghanadistricts.com

The video, which circulated widely, featured a market woman raising the alarm over the alleged use of substances such as Ethemax to speed up the ripening process of fruits for sale.

The revelation has prompted action from food safety authorities and the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, amid concerns about the potential health implications of consuming food treated with unapproved substances.

Following the woman's account, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the Municipal Assembly taskforce and the police, initiated investigations into the alleged practice.

As part of the enforcement exercise, a woman allegedly involved in the sale of unapproved fruit-ripening substances was arrested.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MMCE), Alhaji Ibrahim Fuseini Faila, has since called for greater vigilance among food vendors and consumers, stressing the need to safeguard public health and ensure compliance with approved food safety standards, adding that the assembly is ready to prosecute traders who engage in the act.

The development has also renewed calls for fruit vendors and market authorities to desist from using chemicals that have not been approved for food ripening.

The Assembly, together with relevant stakeholders, is also expected to intensify public education and safety training for market queens and vendors to promote proper food-handling practices and raise awareness of the dangers associated with the misuse of chemicals.

The incident serves as a reminder that while the demand for ripe and attractive fruits remains high, food safety must not be compromised for commercial gain.

Consumers are therefore encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of chemical misuse in food production, processing and trading to the appropriate authorities.