This lesson matters most if you sell food, drinks, cosmetics such as shea butter or soap, herbal products or similar goods. These products go into or onto people's bodies, so Ghana has rules to protect customers' health. Following them helps you sell to supermarkets, pharmacies and bigger buyers, and protects you from complaints, fines or having goods taken off the market. If you sell items like clothes, baskets or phone accessories, you can treat this lesson as optional background.
Who oversees food and cosmetics
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) regulates food, drugs, cosmetics and related products in Ghana. Depending on the product and where you sell it, you may need FDA approval before selling widely, especially in shops and supermarkets. The FDA has offices in the regions, including the north, and its website, fdaghana.gov.gh, has information and contacts.
News reports from Tamale have described the FDA and partners training shea butter and cosmetic processors, and noted that labelling problems are one of the main reasons products are not approved. The FDA has also said it has taken steps to make registration easier for small producers. So it is worth asking early rather than guessing. FDA product registration usually asks for your business registration documents too, so registering your business first often makes this step easier.
What a good label usually shows
Exact requirements depend on the product, so confirm them with the FDA. A good label typically includes:
- Product name and what it is.