The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on unregistered alcoholic beverages, shutting down an unlicensed production facility linked to the manufacture of two contaminated drinks—Kings Orange Flavoured Liqueur and Jupiter 1990.
In a statement issued on Sunday, May 18, the FDA confirmed that laboratory tests revealed traces of marijuana extracts in the two beverages, making them unsafe for public consumption. The drinks, which were being produced by FAMUDE Catering Services in the Ashanti Region, had not been registered with the FDA, violating Ghana’s strict food and drug safety regulations.
The facility has since been closed, its license revoked, and the matter referred to the Suntresu District Police for further investigation. The FDA noted that it is working closely with the Ghana Police Service’s Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to ensure that similar illicit operations are swiftly identified and shut down.
Despite previous enforcement actions, including the destruction of Kings Orange Flavoured Liqueur found in Koforidua last month, intelligence gathered by the FDA suggests that the unlicensed producers attempted to resume operations at a different location.
The FDA has called on the public to remain vigilant and report any sighting or distribution of the unregistered beverages to the appropriate authorities, assuring that it will maintain a strict stance against illegal and unsafe food and beverage production.
