A video of a plantain‑chips trader demonstrating how to use plastic bags to fry chips has sparked outrage on social media.

In the clip, the trader insists there is nothing wrong with the practice, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with frying plantain chips with plastic bags.”

She further demonstrates the method and argues that the plastic does not melt into the oil, adding that the current public outrage is being driven by people who want to damage small businesses.

"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. It is still the same even after putting it in the hot oil. So, I don't understand why Ghanaians have believed the claim that we fry with plastic bags. What at all happens when we put the bag in the oil to fry that you want to spoil our business?" she quizzed.

"If it's a deliberate thing you are doing to destroy our businesses, then please stop because you won't gain anything," she added.

The one-minute, three-second footage has since garnered strong responses online, with many users expressing concern about possible health and safety risks and calling for immediate action from food‑safety authorities.

The trader, however, maintained that the criticism is unfair and could harm livelihoods.

The video has renewed calls for clearer guidance and enforcement from regulatory bodies to protect both consumers and informal traders.

Watch the video below:

“There’s nothing wrong with frying plantain chips with plastic bags”

—Ghanaian plantain chips trader says as she demonstrates how the chips are fried using plastic bags to achieve a crisp finish.

According to her, the plastic does not melt into the oil and as such the current… pic.twitter.com/0Pjy1kLyPd

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 3, 2026