The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned importers against trading in unregistered diapers other wise known as bale diapers.
In a statement, the FDA said importation of such products violates Guideline for Registration of Medical Devices (Appendix Il) and the Ghana Standard Authority’s specifications for single-use disposable baby diapers (GS 1166:2017).
Such importers, it said, risks having their goods confiscated at the point of entry for subsequent “safe disposal at a cost to the importer”.
This caution comes after the Authority observed an upscale in the importation of unregistered, poor quality and unhygienically packaged baby diapers into the country .
“The Authority has noted with great concern, the continuing practice where disposable baby diapers are still imported into the country, either unhygienically packaged in bales or hidden in bales of used clothing. These baby diapers are subsequently repackaged and offered for sale without adequate label information or no labelling information at all.”
According to the Authority, using such diapers have accompanied health implications for babies.
“The public is to note that materials used for baby diapers are tested by the Authority during the product registration process.
“This ensures that any dyes, skin irritants, or toxins are absent so as not to cause harm to babies. In addition, handling of bale diapers, frequently re-packed and relabelled under insanitary conditions, can cause germs to enter the genital region of a child, especially a girl child, further posing great danger to their health and well-being.”
The Authority insists that all registered diapers imported into the country must be well-packaged and properly sealed to protect the product from moisture, soiling, contamination and damage during transportation, storage and distribution throughout the product’s shelf-life.
It further indicated that avenues are available for the importation of raw materials for the manufacture of baby diapers; however, it noted that the importer should have a licensed facility for the manufacture of baby diapers.
It added, “All facilities, both local and foreign, for the manufacture of baby diapers, are subjected to Good Manufacturing Practice inspection. The relevant fees apply.”
Source: Opemsuo