How to Register Food Products in Ghana

The registration of food products is a process that involves a review of the manufacturing process, an assessment of food safety and quality, and confirmation of compliance with FDA labeling regulations.  The registration of any food product with the FDA is a very slow process and can take between one or two months to be completed from the date samples are submitted for laboratory tests.

The registration of pre-packaged food is valid for three (3) years and must be renewed by the end of the third year. The registration shall be approved by the Authority before any importation of the product, other than those used as samples for the purpose of this application, into the country. These guidelines can be found on FDA website: www.fdaghana.gov.gh

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) exists to protect public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs. The objective is to provide and enforce standards for the sale of goods, herbal, and medicinal products, and cosmetics. Other enforcement includes drugs, medical devices, and household chemical substances.

READ ALSO: How to Register a Company Limited by Shares in Ghana

The FDA thus regulates the manufacture, importation, and exportation, distribution, use and advertisements of foods, drugs, food supplements, herbal and homeopathic medicines, household chemical substances, tobacco, etc. All food products imported, advertised, sold or distributed in the country must first be registered with the FDA under section 18 and 25 of the Food and Drugs Law, 1992 (PNDCL 305B) and section 4(b) of the Food and Drugs (Amendment) Act 523, 1996. A certificate with a registration number is then issued with respect to the product. In addition, only companies duly registered by the Registrar General’s Department are permitted to import food and drugs.

 

According to the FDA’s General Labelling Guidelines, “food” includes any article manufactured, sold or presented for use as food or drink, chewing gum and any purpose whatsoever.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), formerly, Food and Drugs Board (FDB) is the regulatory authority with the responsibility of implementing the Food and Drugs Law of 1992, (PNDCL 305b). Part seven of the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851 mandates the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to protect and promote public health by ensuring that food and drugs consumed in Ghana are wholesome and safe.

Since its inception, one of the ways the FDA has enforced laws is through the process of registration of products. In an effort to avoid food adulteration, the Authority undertakes inspection of food processing facilities in Ghana, destination inspection of imported products, verification of exports and post-market surveillance.

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Registration requirements for imported pre-packaged foods

An applicant shall, for the registration of imported pre-packaged food adhere to the following;

  1. Purchase and complete the under listed forms ;
  • Imported Food Product Information Form (FDA/FM05/IM/02)
  • Warehouse Location Form (FDA/FM05/IM/03)
  • Application for Registration as a Food Product Importer Form (FDA/FM05/IM/01) and, where necessary
  • Application for Dry Food Storage Facility License (FDA/FID/FM-DFW/2013/07)
  • Application for Cold Storage Facility License (FDA/FSD/FM-CFW/2013/07)
  1. These forms must be filled with the necessary details and submitted to the FDA office.
  2. Completed application forms should be submitted to the FDA in addition to the following:
    • Business Registration Certificate
    • Certificate of analysis performed in the country of origin must be provided. A comprehensive certificate of product analysis issued by the manufacturer indicating the name and designation of the analyst.
    • Submit Sanitary or Phytosanitary (SPS) Certificate where applicable;
    • Certificate of manufacture and free sale, issued by an accredited health authority,
    • Radiation certificate for food product where applicable;
    • Documentation substantiating any claim on health, nutrition, superlative, comparative, etc. on the label; where applicable
    • Six (6) product samples of each product must be sent to the FDA for physical/laboratory analysis and vetting which takes about four to eight weeks
    • A copy of the product label
    • Total registration fee as stated in the FDA fee schedule (non-refundable)
    • All importers must submit the certificate of registration of brand name/ trademark, in the name of the owner of the trademark, to the FDA;
  3. The importer should present a letter of invitation for the inspection of the factory/warehouse stating the full location or address of the manufacturer, name of contact person, current phone and fax numbers and e-mail address.

 

Registration requirements for locally manufactured foods

Any applicant for the registration of locally (Ghana) prepared foods must adhere to the following;

  1. Purchase and complete the under listed forms ;
  • Imported Food Product Information Form (FDA/FM05/IM/02)
  • Warehouse Location Form (FDA/FM05/IM/03)
  • Application for Registration as a Food Product Importer Form (FDA/FM05/IM/01) and, where necessary
  • Application for Dry Food Storage Facility License (FDA/FID/FM-DFW/2013/07)
  • Application for Cold Storage Facility License (FDA/FSD/FM-CFW/2013/07)
  1. These forms must be filled with the necessary details and submitted to the FDA office.
  2. Completed application forms should be submitted to the FDA in addition to the following:
    • Business Registration Certificate
    • Certificate of analysis performed in the country of origin must be provided. A comprehensive certificate of product analysis issued by the manufacturer indicating the name and designation of the analyst.
    • Submit Sanitary or Phytosanitary (SPS) Certificate where applicable;
    • Certificate of manufacture and free sale, issued by an accredited health authority,
    • Radiation certificate for food product where applicable;
    • Documentation substantiating any claim on health, nutrition, superlative, comparative, etc. on the label; where applicable
    • Six (6) product samples of each product must be sent to the FDA for physical/laboratory analysis and vetting which takes about four to eight weeks
    • A copy of product label; and
    • Total registration fee as stated in the FDA fee schedule (non-refundable)
    • All importers must submit the certificate of registration of brand name/ trademark, in the name of the owner of the trademark, to the FDA;

 

Guidelines when registering your food product in Ghana

  • The product labeling should be in English
  • The label must have the contact details of the local distributor/marketer/representative of the product
  • The label must indicate clearly the product’s mineral composition, volume, net weight, place of manufacturing
  • Food product labels must not contain any adjective describing the product as having superior/additional health and nutritional benefits. This contravenes UN convention on food labeling.
  • The storage facility for your food products must be fumigated by a pest control company before the storage facility can be licensed.

The Food and Drugs Act requires all food products should carry expiry dates and/or shelf life. The active ingredients should be specified on the packaging where applicable. The FDA regulation states that the expiry date should be “at least half the shelf life as at the time of inspection at the port of entry.” This means that the inspection date (by FDA after custom clearing) until the expiration date of the product should be equal to or greater than half of the total shelf life of the product (date of production until expiry.)

Get your product registered and avoid product confiscation and hassles at the Ghana Ports when you ship your products.

What has your experience been in registering products at FDA? It will be good to hear from you

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44 Comments

  • Serwaa bonsu

    August 9, 2018 - 11:46 am

    Please sir/madam
    Please I want know if I AM WORLDWWIDE product is registered under GHANA GOVERNMENT

  • Uja prosper

    January 29, 2019 - 8:23 pm

    how much will it cost me to register for local drink in Ghana

    • Alhassan mariam

      March 18, 2020 - 4:10 pm

      How much will it cost to register for honey

      • Firmus Advisory

        March 31, 2020 - 11:14 am

        Our compliance team will revert soon, thank you.

      • Lydia Myers

        July 9, 2020 - 10:52 am

        I want to make my own product and sell how do i register with food and drugs authority

      • Firmus Advisory

        July 9, 2020 - 11:05 am

        Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you.

      • Margaret

        September 14, 2020 - 6:09 pm

        Hello how can I register for local fruit juice and the fees involved?

      • Firmus Advisory

        September 15, 2020 - 8:32 am

        Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you

  • Robert Anim

    February 12, 2019 - 5:56 am

    I need too register my locally manufactured product but it seems the article there is for importers.

    help thanks

    And the FDA link in the article opens in the same window, you might wana check on that

  • John Abeiku Sagoe

    April 8, 2019 - 6:00 pm

    I notice that all requirements are for imported items.

  • Abenaberry

    April 28, 2019 - 11:16 am

    I want to make my own products and sell how do I register with fda

  • yyksqas

    May 19, 2019 - 9:49 am

    Спасибо за информацию!!!!!

  • mahaindo

    July 23, 2019 - 11:02 am

    Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article.
    Thanks for supplying this information.

    • Joycelyn

      May 26, 2020 - 3:05 pm

      I want to make my own product and sell how do i register with food and drugs authority

      • Firmus Advisory

        May 27, 2020 - 2:24 pm

        Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you.

    • Esther Sowah

      July 3, 2020 - 4:27 am

      Please how much will it cost to register my made of black showergel and a shear butter for hair?

      • Firmus Advisory

        July 3, 2020 - 11:58 am

        Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you.

  • BestCecilia

    July 31, 2019 - 6:00 pm

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  • Osei Kingsley

    September 29, 2019 - 5:19 pm

    Please recheck Coca-Cola and the energy drinks

  • Kweku Affanyi

    October 9, 2019 - 6:34 pm

    Thank you. This is very informative.

    • Isaac Adjei

      August 2, 2020 - 5:42 am

      Hello. I want to produce a fruit juice, locally in Ghana and I want to know the processes I need to go through for registration and certification from the FDA. Thanks.

      • Firmus Advisory

        August 3, 2020 - 8:29 am

        Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you.

  • Stanley

    January 31, 2020 - 2:03 pm

    How do foreign manufacturers register their products?

    • Firmus Advisory

      January 31, 2020 - 3:07 pm

      Dear Stanley, kindly reach out to one of our staff at [email protected]. She will assist you with all enquiries. Thanks.

  • Jam jay

    April 10, 2020 - 9:10 pm

    Hi family
    Please I need to know how I can register marijuana dispensary in Ghana since it’s legal now
    Thanks

    • Firmus Advisory

      April 11, 2020 - 11:41 pm

      Our compliance team will revert soon, thank you.

  • Lauren Deh

    April 14, 2020 - 8:43 am

    Is it compulsory to register local soap’s too

    • Firmus Advisory

      April 14, 2020 - 11:42 pm

      Our compliance team will revert soon, thank you.

  • Linda Oforiwaa Amponsah

    April 30, 2020 - 9:31 am

    Great to know but I need to know how register my groundnut paste and honey business

    • Firmus Advisory

      May 1, 2020 - 3:48 pm

      Our compliance team will revert soon.

  • Samira hamza

    May 15, 2020 - 6:48 pm

    Pls I need guidance for my locally manufactured product. It seems all dis is for imported products

    • Firmus Advisory

      May 17, 2020 - 5:17 am

      Our compliance team will revert soon. Thank you

  • Faustina Frempomaa Mantey

    May 16, 2020 - 6:59 pm

    PLEASE HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO REGISTER FOR HONEY, SHITO AND GROUNDNUT PASTE

    • Firmus Advisory

      May 17, 2020 - 5:16 am

      Our compliance team will revert soon. Thank you

      • Emmanuel amoako

        September 11, 2020 - 7:22 pm

        What process do I have to go through in the registration of my locally manufactured rice

      • Firmus Advisory

        September 13, 2020 - 8:11 am

        Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you

  • Sandra Kafui Voryehor

    May 19, 2020 - 1:15 pm

    Hi
    please how do I register honey and shito with the FDA

    • Firmus Advisory

      May 20, 2020 - 1:09 pm

      kindly send us a mail with further details, our compliance team will revert. Thank you. Email: [email protected]

  • Nana Efua

    July 6, 2020 - 5:08 pm

    Please how much will it cost me to register products like sanitazer

    • Firmus Advisory

      July 7, 2020 - 3:47 pm

      Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you.

  • Simon Appiah

    July 10, 2020 - 11:33 am

    I’ve read through all the various registration processes but I’m a bit confused. Please what’s the difference between guidelines when registering your food product in Ghana and registration requirements for locally manufactured food. The two looks quite the same but the requirements are totally different. Infact I want to register my locally made weanimix but I don’t know which of the processes I should follow. And again how much will it cost me to get it registered?

    • Firmus Advisory

      July 10, 2020 - 11:34 am

      Thank you for your query, kindly use the live chat on our website a compliance rep will attend to you. Thank you.

  • Joel

    June 9, 2021 - 11:25 am

    I’ve read through the article but still did not find the information I need.
    I want to export plantain; apart from registering my business, what are the other requirements needed from FDA to be an eligible exporter?

    • Firmus Advisory

      June 10, 2021 - 8:18 pm

      Pls call and speak with one of our compliance officers on 0576461118

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