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The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has reassured consumers and retailers that all mealie meal brands currently on the market are safe for human consumption.
This assurance comes after the government named eight mealie meal brands found to contain aflatoxins: Pembe, Africa Milling, Star Milling, Farm Feed–Super Dog Meal, Shabco Milling, Continental Milling, Ghirad Milling, Busu Milling, and Star Milling.
ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, urged the public not to panic over safety concerns, stating that effective food safety and quality control measures are in place to protect consumers.
Chizinga noted that, in collaboration with other state institutions, the agency had implemented measures to safeguard consumer health following the detection of elevated aflatoxin levels in some batches of mealie meal and dog food.
Read More: Govt names eight mealie meal brands contaminated with Aflatoxins (See list)
“We wish to place it on record that the affected batches of mealie meal, which were identified and withdrawn from the market and factories, have since been destroyed in line with Section 16(4)(b) of the Compulsory Standards Act,” Chizinga said.
He clarified that the non-compliance with aflatoxin levels was specific to the identified batches, and all brands currently in the market, including those with affected batches withdrawn, have been certified safe.
Chizinga said that ZCSA remained committed to ensuring only safe products are supplied to consumers, adding that the agency would continue routine factory inspections and market surveillance to maintain compliance and protect public health.
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