By Daniel Bampoe
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has raised alarm over the continued use of locally manufactured metal cooking pots, popularly known as “Dadesen”, describing them as a major public health threat due to dangerous levels of lead contamination.
At a stakeholder engagement on heavy metal contamination in cereal-legume mixes held in Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, the Regional Manager of the FDA, Anita Owusu-Kuffour, called for an immediate nationwide ban on the production and sale of Dadesen pots.
According to Owusu-Kuffour, surveillance conducted by the FDA revealed that many local artisans intentionally add lead—a toxic heavy metal—to the raw materials used in moulding these traditional cooking pots.
The lead is reportedly used to soften and shape the metal more easily during production.
However, this seemingly harmless practice poses dire health consequences for unsuspecting 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,” she explained.
“We are therefore advising the public to stop using Dadesen that contains lead.”
The FDA has warned that constant exposure to lead through food prepared in such cookware can lead to severe health complications, including kidney failure, cancer, neurological disorders, and Parkinson’s disease.
Lead poisoning, according to medical experts, is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women, as it can cause developmental delays and long-term brain damage.
Owusu-Kuffour emphasized that the issue is not new.
The FDA has over the years raised concerns about unregulated local manufacturing practices, particularly in the production of cooking utensils, aluminium ware, and other household items that come into direct contact with food.
Despite previous public education efforts, the Dadesen pots remain widely used across rural and urban homes due to their affordability and cultural familiarity.
The FDA is now intensifying its campaign to protect consumers. It is urging local blacksmiths and metalworkers to adopt safer alternatives such as stainless steel and certified aluminium materials, which are more durable and free from toxic metals.
“A good-quality stainless steel product can serve both purposes—safety and durability,” Owusu-Kuffour stated.
She also cautioned the public against the careless use of nonstick cookware, noting that once the protective coating wears off, it can release toxic chemicals and heavy metals into food.
“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 warned.
The FDA believes the solution lies in a collective effort between regulators, producers, and consumers to ensure that only safe materials are used in food preparation.
“As science and technology improve, it is important for all of us to adapt and move away from harmful practices to protect public health,” Mrs. Owusu-Kuffour concluded.
The Authority has hinted at rolling out a public sensitization campaign and a possible regulatory crackdown on local pot manufacturers who fail to comply with safety standards.
The initiative is part of the FDA’s broader commitment to eliminate heavy metal contamination in the country’s food chain and safeguard the health of Ghanaians.
