One arrested as FDA cracks down on ‘cigarette lollipops’ in Accra
One person has been arrested following a joint operation by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and National Security, which led to the seizure of a large consignment of unregistered and potentially dangerous confectionery designed to mimic cigarettes, in the heart of Accra’s Central Business District.
The operation, conducted over the weekend, targeted the sale of the “Cigarette Rod Lollipop”, a product the FDA says blatantly violates public health regulations.
The suspect remains in police custody as authorities widen their investigation into the importation and supply chain of the illegal sweets.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, the FDA condemned the product for its insidious design, warning that such novelty sweets risk normalising tobacco use among Ghanaian children and undermining decades of anti-smoking advocacy.
“This product has not been registered with the Authority, rendering its composition and safety completely unknown,” the FDA stated.
The Authority stressed that under Section 97(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), manufacturing or selling unregistered food items is a criminal offence.
The FDA is urging retailers and importers to immediately surrender any stock of the product at the nearest FDA office.
Whistleblowers are also being encouraged to come forward, with the Authority promising cash rewards and strict confidentiality for information leading to further arrests.
