Food Research Scientists at the Department of Food Science and Technology of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have detected a harmful banned substance in some tomato pastes sold on the Ghanaian market.
KNUST food scientists discovered harmful banned substances, erythrosine and starch, in some tomato pastes sold in Ghana. The study, led by Dr. Abena Boakye, found that these substances, which are prohibited in tomato paste production, were present in tested samples. Erythrosine, a dye linked to health risks, is already banned in the U.S., and starch is also not permitted in Ghana. The researchers recommended that the Ghana FDA extend its regulations to remove erythrosine from all food products and ensure compliance with tomato paste standards. Additionally, some brands fell below the recommended 24% natural tomato content. The study was published in the International Journal of Food Science.
