Accra, Oct 11, Daily Graphic --The Ministry of Trade, Industry andPresident’s Special Initiatives has placed restrictions on the export andlocal marketing of palm oil and chilies with immediate effect.

A statement issued by the ministry explained that the restrictions hadbecome necessary to arrest what it called the UAScrupulous behavior ofexporters and producers who are adulterating these food items with harmfulcontaminant ostensibly to dye them into a red colour.

Consequently, it said, no palm oil and chilies shall be allowed to beexported from Ghana unless the exporter applied to the Food and DrugsBoard to test and certify that each batch of palm oil and chilies meantfor export did not contain any harmful Contaminants, especially Sudandyes.

The statement stated further that, the ministry, together with the Foodand Drugs Board, is conducting a country-wide sampling of palm oil andchillies sold in the markets to determine the extent of the problem.