The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has clarified its regulatory stance on products making spiritual claims, including those sold by “kayanmata” sellers, which are purported to influence others’ will, attract love, ensure debt repayment, and perform other miraculous feats.
This clarification follows the arrest and subsequent bail of Fella Makafui for selling unregistered drugs, false advertising, and publishing unapproved adverts, as cited by the FDA.
During the arrest, a variety of products were seized from her Mempeasem shop, including Fertility Tea (Fibroid and Womb Tea), Butt and Hips Enlargement Syrup, Butt and Hip Enlargement Oil, Booty Cream, Booty Scrub, Hip and Big Butt Tea, Breast Firming and Enlargement Cream, Vagina Detox Pearls, Male Sexual Vitality Tea, Spice Herbal Infection Mixture, Yoni Wash Gel, Orgasmic Gel, Weight Gain Syrup, Spice Coded Powder, Tiger Herbal Mixture, and Sweet Drip Honey.
Since her arrest, social media users have drawn the FDA’s attention to similar products promoted by other influencers, such as Hajia Bintu’s advertisements for spiritual products.
On the X platform, the FDA explained that it is not legally authorized to regulate products claiming spiritual effects. “Per the law, the FDA is not mandated to oversee products that make spiritual claims,” the FDA stated.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsPer the law, the FDA is not mandated to oversee products that make spiritual claims. https://t.co/enIhtMxTep
— FDAGhana (@fdaghana) May 23, 2024
However, many people disagree with the FDA’s stance.
Read the responses below:
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsYou don’t even know your functions😂😂😂😂 ;Protocol nti the institution is made up of quite a number of empty heads 😂😂 https://t.co/P01wKP71Nq pic.twitter.com/omWCXUbag9
— 🇬🇭god Amongst Men (@officiallordy) May 23, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsFrom your own website, so what you dey talk🙄? https://t.co/sLnk1Ky0XZ pic.twitter.com/5QFVlr6cZL
— SAMMY APPIAH (@ekow_samm) May 24, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis is misleading.
— GhLawTrends (@GhLawTrends) May 24, 2024
1. Section 80 of the Public Health Act 2012 creates the FDA authority, and section 82 defines its functions.
2. The relevant function here is
| ensure adequate and effective standards for food, drugs, cosmetics, household chemicals & medical devices | https://t.co/SeZTUmEYlh
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsOh this is callous. Are you not mandated to regulate the safety of cosmetic products? They are instructing people to apply these products to their bodies and you’re saying the contents and safety of the ingredients in the oils don’t concern you because it makes spiritual claims? https://t.co/TT8PXHYE6n
— Dr. alleunammE💊🎤🎶 (@Dr_nuellie_) May 23, 2024