FDA intensifies crackdown on fake diapers, destroys over one million

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana has incinerated over one million counterfeit diapers that had infiltrated the country’s markets, citing grave health risks associated with their use.

The diapers, intercepted in two separate container shipments, were found to be unfit for consumer use and posed a significant threat to public health. The destruction exercise, carried out in Ashaiman under strict environmental and regulatory oversight, is part of a broader crackdown on substandard hygiene products in the country.

According to the FDA, the seized items were part of a growing influx of low-quality baby care goods that do not meet Ghana’s safety standards. The operation is a key element of the Authority’s ongoing strategy to rid the market of products that endanger public well-being, especially that of infants.

Public alarm heightened after a March exposé by China's state-run CCTV during its “3.15” Consumer Rights Day broadcast. The report uncovered that some rogue manufacturers were retrieving used diapers and sanitary pads from waste sites, reprocessing them, and branding them as new. These items, having failed quality checks in China, were deliberately diverted to developing countries like Ghana and sold at suspiciously low prices.

“These practices are not only unethical—they’re dangerous,” an FDA spokesperson warned. “Infants exposed to such products face heightened risks of infections, allergic reactions, and other serious health issues. Ghana will not become a dumping ground for substandard or harmful goods.”

In light of the revelations, the FDA has intensified efforts in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division, other governmental bodies, and international partners. Initiatives now include stricter import inspections, improved laboratory testing, surprise checks at retail outlets, and expanded consumer education.

As part of its public campaign, the FDA is advising buyers to look out for telltale signs of fake products, such as extremely low prices, unknown brands, poor packaging, and missing certification labels. Consumers are also urged to report suspicious products through the Authority’s hotlines and digital platforms.

The destruction of the counterfeit diapers reaffirms the FDA’s commitment to consumer safety and underscores the government's zero-tolerance stance on unsafe baby products. The Ministry of Health, together with regulatory agencies, continues to support these efforts.