“FDA Warns Against Importing Unregistered Baby Diapers”

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a warning to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of baby diapers regarding the importation of unregistered and unsanitary products, known as bale diapers, into Ghana. This practice goes against the FDA’s guidelines for the registration of medical devices and the Ghana Standard Authority’s specifications for single-use disposable baby diapers.

According to a press statement signed by the CEO of FDA, Dr. Mimi Delese Darko, the importation of these unregistered and poorly packaged products will result in their seizure, and the importer will be responsible for the safe disposal of the diapers.

The FDA expressed concern over the importation of disposable baby diapers that are unhygienically packaged in bales or hidden in bales of used clothing. The authority urged the public to purchase only registered baby diapers to protect babies from the risk of infections.

The statement emphasized that materials used in baby diapers undergo testing during the product registration process to ensure they are free from dyes, skin irritants, or toxins that could harm babies. It also highlighted the risk of germs entering the genital region of children, especially girls, due to the handling of bale diapers under unsanitary conditions.

Importers were reminded to register their products with an approved label before importing them for sale in Ghana. The FDA also stressed the importance of proper packaging and sealing of registered baby diapers to protect them from moisture, contamination, and damage during transportation and storage.

The FDA stated that while it allows the importation of raw materials for baby diaper manufacturing, importers must possess a licensed facility for manufacturing baby diapers. All facilities, both local and foreign, are subject to inspection for good manufacturing practices, with relevant fees applying.

The FDA assured its commitment to collaborating with the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division to ensure that disposable baby diapers on the market meet safety standards.