The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has called for an immediate ban on locally manufactured cooking pots, commonly known as “Dadesen,” after discovering unsafe levels of lead used in their production.
The Eastern Regional Manager of the FDA, Mrs. Anita Owusu-Kuffour made the call during a stakeholder engagement on heavy metal contamination in cereal-legume mixes held in Somanya.
She explained that the FDA’s market surveillance had revealed the use of lead by some local metalworkers to soften metals during the pot-making process, a practice that poses serious health risks to consumers.
“When they are making the pots, the metal becomes hard, so they add lead to soften it. The sad part is that most of the local manufacturers have no idea about the health implications,” Mrs. Owusu-Kuffour said.
According to her, exposure to lead can cause Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, and cancer, among other life-threatening conditions.
She further advised the public to stop using ‘Dadesen’ pots suspected to contain lead, warning that even coated versions could become dangerous once the protective layer wears off.
“If the coating wears off, you are exposing yourself to serious health implications, including cancer, because some of these coatings also contain heavy metals,” she explained.
Mrs. Owusu-Kuffour recommended that consumers switch to high-quality stainless-steel cookware, which she said offers both safety and durability.
“As science and technology improve, it is important for all of us to adapt and move away from harmful practices to protect public health,” she added.
The FDA has assured that it will continue to monitor and engage local artisans to ensure compliance with safety standards in the production of household items.
