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General News of Thursday, 15 March 2001

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle -by Suleiman Mustapha

"Goodness Real Ginseng Bitters" is Unsafe

Goodness What many people in Accra and some parts of the country may not know is that some of the beverages people are crazy about and perhaps selling very fast in the country may be unwholesome. Goodness Real Ginseng Bitters produced by a Taiwanese businessman is one of those drinks.

Sources close to Dr. Teddy Yeh, the producer of Goodness Real Ginseng Bitters reveal that the drink is produced under unhygienic conditions at the herbal clinic at Nungua. Dr. Yeh, who was deported from the country last year by the NDC government, sneaked back into the country to produce Goodness Real Ginseng Bitters without certification from the Ghana Standards Board (GSB).

When contacted, the head of the Inspectorate Division of the GSB, Mr. J. C. T. Armah, confirmed that the drink has not been certified by the GSB and was surprised at how the drink got onto the market without the knowledge of his outfit.

He was even quick to remark that the man had been deported from the country. He also added that the trademark on the product is only to deceive consumers that it had been certified by the GSB.

A source at the Ministry of the Interior also confirmed that Dr. Teddy Yeh was deported out of the country and was surprised at how he arrived into the country.

When asked why he was deported Dr. Yeh declined to comment, but said since the government that deported him was out of power he has every right to come back into the country.

When asked about his product, Goodness Real Ginseng Bitters, he challenged that a bottle should be shown to him and when a bottle was bought for his verification he finally admitted he produces the drink but it was some years back before his deportation.

Meanwhile inquiries at the Registrar General's Department reveal that the company, Ginseng Products and Health Systems, is not and has never been registered as its files cannot be traced at the Department.

Goodness Real Ginseng Bitters, which is perceived to be medicinal is rather more alcoholic which has side effects after taking a little of it. Sources available to the Chronicle indicate that Dr. Yeh did not go back to Taiwan when he was deported but rather sought refuge in America and later Iran.

When Chronicle contacted the Chief Director at the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. H. Clark, on why the deportation order was revoked, he said Parliament is the sole authority that can revoke any deportation order. He later confirmed that this was hurriedly done on January 5, this year, by the NDC government just before they left office.