FDA Warns Media: Stop Advertising Unapproved Foods and Drugs or Face GH₵25,000 Fine

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a stern caution to media houses across Ghana, warning them against advertising unapproved food and drug products. The authority emphasized that any institution found culpable risks severe sanctions, including fines of not less than GH₵25,000.

The warning was delivered by the Ashanti Regional Principal Regulatory Officer of the FDA, Prince Ohene Gyan, during an interview on Otec FM’s Nyansapo programme, hosted by KOB, on Friday. He explained that it is illegal for any food or drug product to be advertised in the country without prior authorization from the FDA, stressing that this legal requirement is not just bureaucratic procedure but a critical safeguard for public health.

Mr. Ohene Gyan noted that the law places responsibility not only on the manufacturers of unapproved products but also on the media outlets that promote them. Both parties, he cautioned, will be held liable and sanctioned if they are found guilty of violating the law. He urged media houses to adopt more rigorous vetting processes by demanding FDA approval documents from advertisers before airing or publishing food and drug promotions. According to him, this simple precaution would help protect both consumers and media institutions from falling foul of the law.

The FDA officer expressed concern about the growing influx of harmful and fake products into the Ghanaian market. He attributed the problem partly to irresponsible advertising practices that allow dishonest individuals to exploit unsuspecting consumers. Many of these unapproved products, he said, make exaggerated or misleading claims and, in some cases, pose serious health risks to the public. He stressed that the FDA is committed to cracking down on such practices and will not hesitate to apply the necessary sanctions against offenders, no matter their influence or reach.

Mr. Ohene Gyan appealed to media institutions to recognize their role as key partners in the fight to safeguard public health. He encouraged them to prioritize consumer safety over financial gain by ensuring that all health-related advertisements are properly verified before publication. According to him, the responsibility of protecting the public lies not only with regulators but also with the institutions that serve as channels of communication.

He concluded by reaffirming the FDA’s commitment to work with media houses to ensure that Ghanaians are only exposed to safe, approved, and credible products. The collaboration between the regulator and the media, he said, is essential in the battle against unsafe goods and misleading advertisement.