FDA on why 'chofi' is banned but tobacco is regulated
Following a public notice issued by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) reminding the public about the ban on the importation of turkey tail, commonly known as "chofi", due to its high concentration of fat and health implications for consumption, a social media debate has been ignited on why the FDA is allowing tobacco for public consumption.
In the public notice issued on Monday, [May 11, 2026], the FDA reminded the public that turkey tail (chofi) and other poultry products with over 15 per cent fat content were banned in 1999 by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and that the ban remains in force.
It said the ministry prohibited the importation of poultry and poultry products with fat content exceeding that threshold. Regulations by the Ghana Standards Authority fixed that figure as the legal limit for dressed poultry products.
Despite the ban, turkey tail is still on the market and openly sold in many areas across the country.
After the FDA published the notice on Facebook on Monday, some commentators from the public questioned the FDA's position on tobacco.
According to some of the commentators, tobacco products also carry documented health risks, but it has not been banned.
Following this, the FDA, in a swift response, explained that tobacco products are generally regulated in most countries.
The FDA said total prohibition often fuels illegal trade, weakens enforcement and reduces state control over such products. According to the FDA, governments instead rely on measures such as taxation, health warnings, age restrictions, and advertising controls to reduce the health risks associated with tobacco use.
“It’s not approval of risk, but a strategy to manage it,” the FDA stated.
Health concerns
Health authorities say the high fat and cholesterol content in turkey tail is associated with obesity, heart disease and certain cancers.
The FDA has also warned that turkey tails may contain residues of veterinary drugs used in poultry production, adding another layer of concern beyond fat content alone.
Tobacco, however, presents a far broader public health burden. The World Health Organisation estimates that tobacco use causes more than eight million deaths globally each year. In Ghana, tobacco products are regulated under the Public Health Act, 2012 and the Tobacco Control Regulations, 2016, which provide for health warning labels, advertising restrictions and age limits on sales.
Enforcement questions
While tobacco products remain openly available in shops and retail outlets across the country, 'chofi' continues to be targeted during enforcement operations.
Over the years, the FDA and the Ghana Police Service have carried out joint operations in markets to seize turkey tail from traders.
On the ban of 'chofi' and why it is openly sold at Nsawam, Nkrumah Circle, Winneba Junction and Asikuma, commentators on the FDA's announcement questioned how the product continues to enter the market.
Some argued that enforcement efforts should focus more on ports of entry rather than traders at the market level.
