FDA shuts down Unni Associates factory over illegal Arcan Bitters production

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has shut down a second factory belonging to Unni Associates Company Limited in the Ashanti Region. This enforcement action was triggered after the company allegedly resumed the production of Arcan Bitters in direct defiance of a prior closure order. The authority's intervention highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of the beverage and the manufacturer's refusal to comply with national health regulations.

The initial directive to close the facility was issued in September following laboratory tests that detected Sildenafil Citrate in the beverage. Sildenafil Citrate is a prescription-only drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, and its undeclared inclusion in an alcoholic drink poses significant health risks to consumers, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions. At the time of the first closure, the FDA ordered a full recall of Arcan Bitters and instructed the company to halt all manufacturing processes immediately.

During this latest raid, FDA officials uncovered a substantial scale of illegal activity. The authorities seized 23 barrels of bulk alcoholic content, 1,500 boxes of the finished beverage ready for distribution, and 5,000 empty bottles intended for packaging. These items were confiscated as evidence of the company's continued operation despite being legally prohibited from manufacturing any products for public consumption.

The FDA is now coordinating with the Ghana Police Service to locate and arrest the factory owner for violating regulatory orders and endangering public safety. Health officials have reiterated their warning to the public to avoid consuming Arcan Bitters, as the product has not been cleared for safety. The authority has pledged to maintain its surveillance to ensure that all unauthorized batches of the drink are removed from the market.