FDA shuts down Unni Associates factory over illegal Arcan Bitters production

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in the Ashanti Region has shut down a second manufacturing facility belonging to Unni Associates Company Limited. This enforcement action follows the discovery that the company had resumed the illegal production of Arcan Bitters, directly violating a previous closure order issued by the regulator. The facility, which continued operations in secret, was targeted after it was determined that the company was disregarding public health directives intended to protect consumers from unregistered and potentially dangerous products.

The crackdown was prompted by the earlier detection of Sildenafil Citrate—a potent prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction—within the Arcan Bitters beverage. Because this ingredient was not declared on the product's labeling, it poses a significant health hazard to the unsuspecting public, particularly those with underlying medical conditions who may suffer adverse reactions. During the latest enforcement exercise, FDA officials seized a substantial quantity of materials, including 23 barrels of alcoholic content, approximately 1,500 finished boxes of the bitters, and 5,000 empty bottles intended for further packaging.

The history of this enforcement case dates back to September, when the FDA first ordered the shutdown of Unni Associates' production lines and initiated a nationwide recall of Arcan Bitters. At that time, the authority warned that the inclusion of medicinal substances in an alcoholic beverage without regulatory approval or disclosure is a serious breach of health standards. Despite these sanctions, the manufacturer allegedly attempted to bypass the law by utilizing an alternative site to continue the supply of the product to the Ghanaian market.

Currently, the FDA is working in close collaboration with the Ghana Police Service to effect the arrest of the factory's owner for the blatant defiance of regulatory orders and the endangerment of public health. The authority has reiterated its advice to the general public to refrain from consuming Arcan Bitters to avoid health complications. Retailers and distributors are also cautioned against stocking or selling the product, as the regulator continues to monitor the market to ensure all existing stock is removed from circulation.