�Tsofi� Still On High Demand

Despite the ban on the importation and sale of turkey tail by the Food and Drugs Board (FDB), the delicacy, popularly known as �Tsofi,� is still on high demand. A recent visit by City & Business Guide to Adoagyiri and Nsawam in the Eastern region revealed that a lot of people continue to patronize �tsofi� despite the ban. The poultry product is usually fried and enjoyed with fried yam and black pepper sauce. Some traders, who sell the high fat concentration product, said they are aware of the ban, stressing that since the product is still being imported into the country, they have no choice than to sell it to patrons. FDB imposed a ban on the importation of the product last year due to the high animal fat concentration, which is associated with high cholesterol levels that lead to many diseases including heart diseases. The Ministry of Trade and Industry in 1999 issued a communiqu� to all importers to the effect that poultry and poultry products with a total fat content exceeding 15 percent had been banned. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture also stopped issuing permits for the importation of turkey tail into Ghana. However, turkey tail is still available on the market despite the aforementioned directives. Odame-Darkwah, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Food Division, FDB, in an interview with this paper, said the turkey tails on the market presently were smuggled into Ghana either through unapproved routes or misleading declaration of product content at the approved points of entry. He noted that the FDB was also aware of the sale of the product, especially at Nsawam and Adoagiri, but was quick to add that the board was doing everything possible to halt the trade. �We are aware of the fact that Nsawam and Adoagiri has been the main nerve centre for the sale of turkey tail, but we cannot just arrest the traders because of the social and economic implications involved here,� Mr. Odame-Darkwah indicated. He added that FDB held a series of meetings with the Akuapem South District Assembly to educate members of the Assembly about the health implications of consuming turkey tails. He added that the board was working with the assembly to find other alternative means for the traders to survive. Mr. Odame-Darkwah therefore advised consumers to desist from consuming the product since it could pose a serious health threat.