Two brewing firms served 7 days ultimatum over public health standards

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has given a seven days ultimatum to FKL Breweries Limited and Jubilee Breweries to explain themselves for not meeting public health standards during their operations.

A team from the Lusaka City Council’s Public Health Department conducting a liquor enforcement activity on the bulk beer manufacturers, discovered that the two companies were lacking proper sanitation.

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Nyambe Bulumba, said this in an interview with Journalists after touring the manufacturing plants in Lusaka on Tuesday.

Bulumba stated that the production areas were dirty and had no bins, resulting in fly infestations, a violation of the Waste Management Act.

He said the Authority discovered that manufacturers were also producing and distributing bulk beer without appropriate packaging.

“This is contrary to Packaging Statutory Instruments number 23 and 72 of 2012 which entails that all brewers must package their products in packaging that meets health standards,” Bulumba stated.

He noted that the erring company had collected used containers which may have contained corrosive materials, thereby risking contamination if not properly cleaned.

Bulumba added that the company also discharged effluent in an open environment, thereby infringing on the provisions of the Public Health Act Chapter 295 of the Laws of Zambia.

“Jubilee Breweries was also found to be operating with dysfunctional toilets amidst poor sanitation,” he stated

Bulumba said the local Authority had given a seven-day ultimatum to both companies to provide explanations and show cause why their operations should not be halted.

He encouraged bulk beer manufacturers to adhere to existing legal provisions and uphold public health standards.

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