Is Kambucha legit ? : MCAZ issues another warning on advertising of illegal medicines

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has for the umpteenth time warned individuals and companies involved in the marketing of illegal herbs and medicines using social media platforms,Express Mail Zim can report.

The body has issued this stern warning which seem to have fallen on deaf ears and ha infact seen a rise in such adverts.

In it’s latest statement, MCAZ stated perpetrators face jail and the practice is against the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act to advertise medications on social media platforms.

“The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has expressed concern over the increased advertising of medicines on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter,” read part of the statement.

A random survey carried out by Express Mail Zim established that after at least two street corners in central Harare, there is are pre-recorded speakers advertising these illegal drugs , the most popular been one dubbed Gonnorhea Tea and Acids Killer.

There is also another herbal drink called Kambucha that has caused a stir with speculation that it contains alcohol.

The alcoholic component is not listed on the ingredients but a simple google search stated that Kombucha contains 0.5 percent alcohol.

The manufacturer’s contact number listed on the container was unreachable at the time of writing.

A participatory research by this reporter gave possibility to the presence of alcohol though not scientifically verified and no ISO certification is noted on the container.

A vox pop carried out by Express Mail Zim in the capital’s Southern Surburbs established that a significant number of unemployed youths have resorted to Kambucha because of affordability.

“Wangu Kambucha Number 3 magetsi unodhakwa pore pore (My brother number 3 blend intoxicates you steadily).
” So I decided to spent US$3 for three bottles a day and get high unlike the US$6 we used to pay for whiskey.

“Inoita kunge guchu futi wangu nekuti ndakaona madam vachiti Baba Maka kadrink kamunofarira aka karight fani( I think it also acts as an Aphrodisiac because my wife suddenly positively commented on my choice of beverages praising it) ,” said a 24-year old man who only identified himself as Bolly from Glen -View 7.

“One thing I like about it is the taste and once you get tipsy you get a running stomach cleansing the system,” quipped in his colleague who only identified himself as Gushaz.

According to the manufacturer, the the product is a health drink from natural ingredients consisting of lemon, garlic, ginger and honey.

Further investigations established that the herbal drimk was infact derived from Kombucha .

Kombucha is produced by symbiotic fermentation of sugared tea, lemon,honey using a symbiotic culture and has a alcohol volume is 0.5 percent, according to their website.

MCAZ authorities could not be reached Friday after relentless efforts to get their position on Kambucha but an insider told Express Mail Zim that some ‘consumers’ approached them.
“Well,yes there has been concern over the classification of that substance and lab tests are being conducted,” said our source who preffered anonymity.

In the 90s there was a craze of an almost similar drink with medicinal effect and it was dubbed ‘fungus’.