The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has ordered the immediate recall of Franko Herbal Mixture from the Ghanaian market and shut down its manufacturing factory at Jacobu in the Ashanti Region over the discovery of unapproved pharmaceutical substances in the product.
In a statement dated October 19, 2026, the Authority directed Franko Herbal Centre, the manufacturer of the product, to withdraw the mixture from the market within 14 days. It also warned that failure to comply with the directive could lead to criminal prosecution.
According to the FDA, laboratory analysis revealed that the herbal mixture, which was registered to contain plant ingredients including Carica papaya, Alstonia boonei and Tetrapleura tetraptera, had been adulterated with Diazepam and Paracetamol.
The Authority said the presence of the two orthodox medicines in a registered herbal product contravenes Section 111 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which prohibits the inclusion of other drug substances in registered herbal medicines.
The FDA warned that the adulteration poses serious health risks to consumers, particularly because of the potential adverse effects associated with the two substances.
It explained that Diazepam can cause severe sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death, especially when combined with certain other medicines. Abuse of the drug may also result in confusion, hallucinations and seizures.
The Authority further cautioned that excessive intake of Paracetamol can cause severe liver damage and acute liver failure, making the presence of the substance in the herbal mixture a significant public health concern.
In view of the findings, the FDA has strongly advised the public to stop purchasing and consuming Franko Herbal Mixture.
Retailers, distributors and members of the public have also been urged to comply with the recall directive and report any outlets that continue to sell the product to the nearest FDA office.
The Authority said the cooperation of the public and stakeholders would help ensure the complete removal of the affected product from the market and protect consumers from potential harm.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe