The press release issued by the Divisional Officer of the Dschang district in the West region on 11 July, announcing a crusade against “rogue traders” who preserve and ripen food products using formaldehyde, could have an impact on Cameroon’s exports to Gabon.

Following this press release, which was widely reported in the press, the Gabonese Food Safety Agency (Agasa) decided to step up checks and health monitoring at its borders on products imported from Cameroon. To this end, a monitoring plan will be put in place to test for formaldehyde using rapid detection kits. “This plan will involve carrying out tests on fruit and vegetable products, in particular plantain and pineapple,” announced Alia Maheva Bongo Ondimba, Director General of Agasa, in a press release dated 25 July 2023.

These rapid formaldehyde detection kits will be used at the border with Cameroon and in the markets of Libreville.
At the border, all products containing formaldehyde will be turned away, while in the markets, dangerous products detected in storage areas or on stalls will be destroyed. “This surveillance will also be extended to other foodstuffs and products such as fish products. These measures will be put in place to guarantee the safety and well-being of consumers”, says Agasa. We note that Cameroon is one of Gabon’s main suppliers worldwide. This cautioning will greatly impact the local market in Gabon tas there might be shortage of food stuffs.