The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has seized quantities of an unregistered confectionery shaped like cigarettes from sellers in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD), with one person arrested in connection with the sale of the product.
The product, branded “Cigarette Rod Lollipop”, was seized during an operation conducted by the FDA and the National Security over the weekend.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is assisting with investigations into the importation, distribution and sale of the confectionery.
In a statement issued on Monday, August, 31, 2026, the FDA said the product had not been registered with the Authority and, therefore, its composition was unknown.
The Authority renewed its warning against the sale of cigarette-shaped confectionery, saying such products risk normalising smoking behaviour among children and undermining efforts to prevent smoking.
The FDA advised members of the public not to purchase or consume the product.
It said the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, sale or exposure of food for sale without registration was an offence under Section 97(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851).
The Authority said the confectionery fell within the definition of food under the Act and was, therefore, subject to the applicable registration requirements.
The FDA urged members of the public who came across anyone selling the product, or any other suspected unregistered food product, to report them to the Authority.
The public is to contact the FDA on 055 111 2224 or 055 111 2225, or email
Retailers and individuals who have the product in stock have also been urged to contact the FDA or surrender the products at the nearest FDA office.
The Authority further appealed to importers and other persons involved in the distribution of the confectionery to come forward through official channels.
It said information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality and that persons whose credible information led to an arrest would be rewarded.
The statement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA.
