The Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association is introducing digital technology into the palm oil industry to curb the menace of SUDAN IV.

This is to ensure authentic and healthy Palm oil for the global market.

The association has developed an app to enable consumers to track the source of palm oil and its producers before purchase or consumption.

Sudan IV dye is used as a hue enhancer in palm oil despite the ban as a food colorant due to its carcinogenicity and mutagenicity by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

As a food dye, Sudan IV is considered an illegal dye, mainly because of its harmful effect over a long period of time.

Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association will be launching the app on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Accra.

Prof Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua will chair the program with the Minister For Communication, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekufful, as the Special Guest.

Other invited guests include Alhaji Hanan Abdul-Wahab, CEO for NAFCO, Mrs. Kosi Yankey- Ayeh, GEA, Mr. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, Director of Political Affairs at the Office of the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Delese Mimi Darko, CEO of FDA amongst others.

The palm oil industry is going to adopt this digital approach to help in making sure all its producers produce pure and hygienic palm oil to help Ghana meet the world market specification.

The industry is currently dominated by small scale producers who are responsible for the production of about sixty (60) percent of the total palm oil production in the country, which is close to about 120 metric tons a year.

According to the President of the Association, Mr. Paul Amaning, the app, Artisanal Palm Oil will do two wonderful things.

He said, “It will allow customers to order palm oil from the comfort of their homes and have it delivered to them".

He said the other function of the app is to help customers verify the source of their palm oil with the aid of a QR Code to guard customers against consuming any palm oil containing Sudan IV.