The Volta Regional office of the Food and Drugs Authority has seized a large consignment of unregistered diapers at the Ho Market in an operation aimed at protecting public health, especially the safety of children.
The exercise was carried out with the support of law enforcement agencies as part of a broader surveillance effort across the Volta Region and the Oti Region, aimed at ensuring that only approved and properly labelled products reach consumers.
Officials say unregistered diapers pose risks because their source, quality and handling cannot be verified.
Volta Regional Head of the FDA, Gordon Akurugu, told reporters that the seized items lacked the required registration and labelling, making them unsuitable for sale.
According to him, the diapers, commonly referred to by traders as fosse diapers, have been detained while investigations continue with the police to trace their origin.
He noted that the Volta Region’s proximity to international borders increases the risk of smuggled or improperly diverted goods entering local markets.
He advised parents and caregivers to check for visible labels and valid FDA registration numbers before purchasing diapers, reminding the public that child safety must be the top priority.
He also referenced the Public Health Act 851, which requires all imported health-related products to be registered before sale, warning that offenders will face legal consequences.
Some traders affected by the seizure shared their frustrations.
A few said officers posed as buyers before confiscating the products, while others admitted they could not tell the difference between registered and unregistered diapers.
Several worried about financial losses, noting that the cheaper, unlabeled products are popular with customers despite the risks.