HARARE-In an interesting development, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has confirmed the presence of glyphosate in some of Innscor’s mealie meal brands.
This was after human rights defender Abigale Mupambi wrote a petition and lodged a complaint with the consumer apex body to investigate the presence of the cancer causing chemical in Innscor products.
In response the CCZ conducted independent tests which were done by Standards Association of Zimbabwe(SAZ) which came out positive but are below the limits of permissible.
“One of our key stakeholders,Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) conducted tests on six mealie-meal brands that include Ngwerewere super refined,Red Seal super roller meal,Sunrise roller meal ,Mega roller meal ,Pearlenta and Chibataura roller meal.
“These products were found to have glyphosate levels well below the internationally accepted safety limits,”CCZ wrote.
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe said it still awaits results of Chicken Inn’s alleged cancer-causing foods and will notify Mupambi as soon as lab tests are out.
It also emphasized consumer safety and advised concerned stakeholders like Mupambi to escalate their issues with CODEX to investigate the permissible levels of glyphosate in food products.
This publication contacted Mupambi who expressed delight in the response by CCZ and is determined to intensity the fight.
“I can confirm CCZ has responded to our petition through tests conducted by SAZ which revealed that there are presence of glysophate in some Innscor mealie meal brands.
“That they are below the limits of acceptable levels is a story for another day but the presence of gives us every reason to continue to fight.In line with the Consumer Protection Act 5/2019 Chapter 14:44 all stakeholders have a mandate to deliver the best and safest food products to the public and the Act guarantees consumer rights.We are writing again to CCZ to propose a possible way forward and also bring the matter before Consumer Protection Commission as the regulator ”,she said.
