, shows the trader dismissing claims that the practice poses a health risk to consumers. Instead, she characterized the backlash as a "deliberate attempt" to sabotage small-scale businesses.){kind=link}
A viral video featuring a plantain chips vendor defending the controversial practice of placing plastic bags into boiling frying oil has sparked a firestorm of health concerns across Ghanaian social media.
The footage, which has been widely circulated on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), shows the trader dismissing claims that the practice poses a health risk to consumers. Instead, she characterized the backlash as a “deliberate attempt” to sabotage small-scale businesses.
“You Won’t Gain Anything”: Trader Hits Back
In the one-minute clip, the unidentified trader is seen actively demonstrating her frying process.
She insists that the plastic bags do not “melt” or dissolve into the oil in a way that contaminates the food.
“Family, look at this; the plantain chips that you claim we fry with plastic bags, I don’t understand. Look at the plastic bag we placed in the oil,” she says, gesturing to the vat. “What at all happens when we put the bag in the oil to fry that you want to spoil our business?”
The trader argued that the public outcry is fueled by malice rather than science, urging critics to stop the campaign against informal food vendors whose livelihoods depend on these sales.
The Hidden Dangers: Why the Public is Worried
Despite the trader’s claims that the bag remains intact, health experts and concerned citizens are pointing to the invisible chemical processes that occur when synthetic polymers are exposed to extreme heat.
When plastic bags—often made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE)—are heated in oil, they can release:
• Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA): Endocrine disruptors that can leach into the oil and, subsequently, the chips.
• Microplastics: Tiny particles that may not be visible to the naked eye but are ingested by consumers.
• Carcinogenic Compounds: Long-term exposure to heated plastic residues has been linked to various health complications, including respiratory issues and cancer.
Calls for FDA Intervention
The video has reignited a heated debate regarding food safety standards in Ghana’s informal sector. Thousands of users have tagged the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and local municipal assemblies, demanding stricter enforcement and better education for street vendors.
While some social media users sympathized with the trader’s struggle to maintain a business in a tough economy, the majority consensus leaned toward a “safety first” approach.
“It’s not about destroying a business; it’s about not destroying our organs,” one popular comment read.
As of press time, the FDA has yet to issue a formal statement specifically addressing this viral video, though they have previously cautioned against using non-food-grade materials in cooking processes.
Watch The Video Below:
A Video of Plantain Chips Seller Frying the Chips with Plastic Bags