The Eastern Regional Manager of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Anita Owusu-Kuffour, has called for an immediate nationwide ban on the production and use of locally made aluminium cooking pots, popularly known as “Dadesen”, citing high levels of toxic lead contamination detected in the cookware.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on heavy metal contamination in Somanya, Ms. Owusu-Kuffour revealed that FDA investigations had found that many local artisans add lead during production to soften recycled metal, making the pots easier to mould.

“When they are making the pots, the metal becomes hard, so they add lead to soften it. The sad part is that most local manufacturers have no idea about the health implications,” she explained.

The FDA says the use of lead in cookware poses serious health threats, including cancer, kidney failure, and Parkinson’s disease, as the toxic metal can leach into food during cooking and accumulate in the body over time.

“Dadesen” pots, cherished in many Ghanaian households for their durability and ability to enhance food flavour, are often made from recycled aluminium sourced from old vehicle parts, roofing sheets, and other scrap metals. However, their informal, unregulated production process makes it nearly impossible to control the types of metals used.

Ms. Owusu-Kuffour urged consumers to immediately stop using lead-contaminated pots and encouraged artisans to switch to safer alternatives such as stainless steel, which poses no health risk.

She also cautioned against using damaged nonstick cookware, noting that worn or scratched coatings can release toxic chemicals and heavy metals into food.

“If the coating wears off, you are exposing yourself to serious health risks, including cancer, because some of these coatings contain heavy metals,” she warned.

The FDA regional manager stressed that public health protection requires cooperation among manufacturers, regulators, and consumers, urging Ghanaians to embrace safer materials and abandon harmful traditional methods.
“As science and technology improve, it is important for all of us to adapt and move away from harmful practices to protect public health,” she concluded.