FDA flags two illegal alcoholic drinks containing cannabis: Public urged to avoid
In a public notice issued on Sunday, May 18, the FDA confirmed that both products are not registered and are suspected to be manufactured unlawfully by FAMUDE Catering Services, a company based in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the public against consuming two illicit alcoholic beverages—Kings Orange Flavoured Liqueur and Jupiter 1990—after tests revealed they contain cannabis extracts and are unapproved for sale.
In a public notice issued on Sunday, May 18, the FDA confirmed that both products are not registered and are suspected to be manufactured unlawfully by FAMUDE Catering Services, a company based in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
“Kings Orange Flavoured Liqueur had initially received FDA approval in 2022,” the statement noted. “However, following routine inspections in July 2023, the product tested positive for marijuana content.”
In response, the FDA revoked the manufacturer’s license, shut down its operations, and handed the case over to the Suntreso District Police for further investigation.
Despite these enforcement actions, surveillance by the FDA—working closely with the Ghana Police Service’s Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC)—revealed that the drink was still circulating.
Acting on new intelligence in April 2025, the FDA discovered the continued sale of the banned drink in Koforidua. A subsequent investigation led authorities to an illegal production site at Jachie Abidjan Nkwanta.
“A raid conducted on April 30, 2025, by a joint team from the FDA, DLEU, and NACOC uncovered dried cannabis, packaging materials for Kings Orange Flavoured Liqueur, and another unregistered product, Jupiter 1990,” the FDA said.
Both beverages were found to contain traces of marijuana, and all confiscated items have been handed over to law enforcement for ongoing investigations.
“These products are being secretly produced and spiked with cannabis, making them dangerous for human consumption,” the FDA warned.
The Authority is advising all vendors to stop selling the drinks immediately and return any stock to the nearest FDA office. Consumers are strongly urged to avoid purchasing or drinking them.
The FDA emphasized the potential health risks of such contaminated alcohol, warning of severe harm, including irreversible liver and kidney damage.
Reiterating its role as a public health watchdog, the FDA assured Ghanaians that it will continue to monitor the market to eliminate unsafe food and beverage products.
Members of the public who encounter the banned products are encouraged to report them through official FDA communication channels.
