The Food and Drugs Authority(FDA) has urgently recalled popular drug COA FS, a popular food supplement – following fears it may have been contaminated.
The FDA has also urged the general public to return the product to the manufacturer.
In a statement signed by its CEO, Delese A.A Darko, the FDA disclosed that samples of COA FS picked from the market and the manufacturing facility of COA Herbal Centre in Workroom near Cape Coast showed excessive microbial, mould and yeast contamination.
The samples were also found to contain Escherichia coli (E.Coli) which causes diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
“In view of the above, those who are in possession of the product are being directed to return the product to the manufacturer, place of purchase or any of the FDA offices across the country. Meanwhile, the manufacturer, COA Herbal Centre, has been ordered by the FDA to recall the product from the Ghanaian market,” the statement said.
It further said that exposure of children and older adults to E. Coli contamination can result in serious health implications like hemolytic uremic syndrome leading to kidney failures.
“Individuals with weakened immune systems (e.g HIV patients) can become seriously ill due to the ingestion of products contaminated with E. Coli,” the statement added.
“In view of the above, those who are in possession of the product are being directed to return the product to the manufacturer, place of purchase or any of the FDA offices across the country
“Meanwhile, the manufacturer, COA Herbal Centre, has been directed by the FDA to recall the product from the Ghanaian market”.
The FDA further assured that its officers in the regions are working “to ensure that this contaminated product (COA FS) is removed from the market”.
