FDA shuts down illegal Arcan Bitters factory in Ashanti Region

FDA orders Franko Herbal Centre to recall Franko Herbal Mixture

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has directed the Franko Herbal Centre to conduct a mandatory recall of its "Franko Herbal Mixture" within a 14-day window. This regulatory action follows laboratory assessments that confirmed the product is adulterated with undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients. Alongside the recall, the FDA has ordered the immediate closure of the company’s manufacturing facility located in Jacobu, within the Ashanti Region, to prevent further production of the tainted mixture. According to an official notice signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA, the laboratory tests identified the presence of diazepam and paracetamol in the herbal product. The inclusion of these substances without declaration is a serious breach of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which governs the safety and standards of food and medicinal products in Ghana. The authority noted that the undeclared presence of these drugs qualifies the product as adulterated and unfit for public consumption. The FDA has warned that the consumption of this mixture poses significant health risks to the public. Diazepam is a powerful sedative that can cause severe drowsiness and impair physical coordination, while the presence of paracetamol increases the risk of liver damage, particularly if users are unknowingly combining it with other medications containing the same ingredient. Consequently, all retailers and distributors are required to halt the sale of the product and return existing stocks to the manufacturer or the nearest FDA office. Consumers who have already purchased Franko Herbal Mixture are strongly advised to discontinue its use immediately and seek medical attention if they experience any adverse symptoms. The FDA emphasized that non-compliance with the 14-day recall directive could lead to further legal penalties and regulatory sanctions. This intervention is part of the authority's broader mandate to ensure that all herbal medicines on the Ghanaian market are safe, efficacious, and accurately labeled to protect public health.