An alarming practice has been observed in some local markets, where fruit vendors wash fruits with soap before selling them to customers.

Checks by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that certain fruits, such as African star fruit (Alansa) and oranges, are soaked in soapy water for about 10 minutes and later rinsed before being displayed for sale.

Some vendors told the GNA that the practice was intended to make the fruits appear cleaner and more attractive to buyers.

A fruit seller, who pleaded anonymity, explained that customers often hesitated to purchase fruits that appeared dirty, adding that washing them improves sales.

“If the fruits are not washed, customers complain they are dirty and refuse to buy them. When we wash them, more people buy them,” she said.

She noted that the high cost of fruits compelled sellers to adopt the practice to avoid losses, as unsold produce often gets rotten.

According to her, fruits purchased directly from farms sometimes arrive bruised or stained with dirt, making them difficult to sell in that condition.

She mentioned African star apple (alasa) and oranges as the fruits most soaked and washed with soap, stating that the process makes them more visually appealing and slows spoilage.

Consumers have, however, raised concerns about food safety and potential health risks associated with soap residue on fruits consumed.