Two months after the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in Ghana issued a nationwide recall for the Grand Chateaux Sangria Forte, the banned beverage remains accessible to consumers, raising serious questions about the agency’s enforcement capabilities. The 250ml Sangria Tetra Pack, subject to a recall alert since March 18, 2025, due to safety concerns, is still finding its way into the hands of vendors and, potentially, consumers, despite the FDA’s directives.

The struggle to fully remove the banned Sangria from the market underscores the challenges faced by regulatory bodies in controlling the flow of imported goods and ensuring public safety. JoyNews recently highlighted these difficulties, interviewing Vigil Prah Anshong, the FDA’s Director of Enforcement, to shed light on the hurdles hindering the recall’s effectiveness.

According to Anshong, the initial recall directive aimed to clear the market of the product within 14 days. However, the results have been far from satisfactory. “In March 2025, we issued a recall alert on this product, Sangria Tetra Pack 250ml,” Anshong explained. “We directed the importer to ensure that everything was removed from the market within 14 days. After that directive, they were only able to recall a fraction of the products. Out of the 33,811 cartons imported, they’ve recalled only 9,073 cartons.”

The FDA subsequently initiated a second phase, a “mop-up operation,” to remove the remaining products. However, a new and significant challenge emerged: unauthorized parties were now importing the banned Sangria into the country, further complicating the recall efforts. The FDA responded by increasing monitoring at the borders while instructing the principal importer to continue their recall efforts.

“According to the FDA, other unauthorized parties are also bringing the product into the market,” Anshong stated, highlighting the scale of the problem. This unauthorized importation makes tracking and removing the banned Sangria exponentially more difficult.

A major obstacle lies at the Aflao border, a known chokepoint for illicit trade. Anshong acknowledged the challenges: “The challenge we face at the borders is significant. Once someone is determined to do business in a particular product line, no matter the impediment, they find a way to bypass the system.” This circumvention of regulations underscores the need for more robust border security measures and stricter enforcement to prevent banned products from entering the country.

The FDA has issued a specific warning to parents and guardians regarding the Sangria, emphasizing the potential danger to children. The agency advises against purchasing the product for children, citing its alcoholic content and the deceptive appeal of its packaging. “We advise parents not to purchase this product for their children,” the FDA stated. “It is alcoholic and has been banned for safety reasons.”

The FDA is now collaborating with customs officials and border security agencies to strengthen enforcement and complete the product’s withdrawal from the market. These ongoing efforts aim to address the gaps in the recall process and prevent further distribution of the banned beverage.

The struggle to fully enforce the recall of Grand Chateaux Sangria Forte serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in regulating imported goods and safeguarding public health. The FDA’s collaboration with other agencies is critical, but public vigilance remains essential. As the FDA works to strengthen its enforcement capabilities, awareness and caution can help prevent the consumption of this banned Sangria, particularly among vulnerable populations.