BY Daniel Bampoe
The Food and Drugs Authority Ghana (FDA) has issued an urgent public warning against the consumption of a substance known as “Sukudai,” a product currently being promoted in some communities as a heart-cleansing remedy.
Authorities say laboratory tests have detected the presence of a toxic chemical linked to serious health complications.
According to the regulator, the product is not registered with the FDA, making its sale and distribution illegal under the public health regulations. The substance has reportedly been circulating mainly in Kumasi, where it is being marketed to unsuspecting consumers as a medicinal product.
The warning follows the circulation of a viral video on social media showing the substance reacting with and corroding a Styrofoam plate, a demonstration that quickly raised public concern about the chemical composition of the product.
In response to the growing alarm, the FDA collected samples of the substance from the Kumasi area for scientific testing. Laboratory analysis confirmed that the product contains Chloroform, a chemical historically used as an anaesthetic but later discontinued in medical practice due to its severe toxic effects.
Health experts explain that chloroform is dangerous when inhaled or ingested and can trigger a range of harmful reactions in the body.
The FDA warned that exposure to the substance can lead to symptoms including extreme drowsiness, breathing difficulties, liver damage, kidney failure, and loss of consciousness. Long-term exposure has also been associated with Cancer and, in severe cases, death.
Because of these risks, chloroform is no longer approved for therapeutic use in modern medicine, making its presence in a product marketed for human consumption particularly alarming.
The FDA said it has begun working with the Ghana Police Service and National Security Ghana to track down individuals involved in the sale and distribution of Sukudai. Authorities say enforcement operations are underway to halt the circulation of the substance and protect public health.
Regulators have also warned that anyone found manufacturing, selling, or distributing Sukudai or any other unregistered medicine will face arrest and prosecution under Ghana’s drug and public health laws.
The FDA is urging members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing unverified medicines from informal markets or social media platforms. Citizens are also encouraged to report individuals selling the product through the Authority’s complaint platform or official hotlines.
