LUSAKA, July 12, 2024.
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has destroyed non-compliant peanut butter valued at about K117, 420.
In a statement today, ZCSA Public relations officer Onishias Maamba said this is because the product did not meet the requirements of the relevant Compulsory Standard, Zambian Standard (ZS) 723: Peanut Butter – Specification, thereby posing a risk to consumers.
Mr. Maamba noted that the disposal of the non-compliant product is aimed at protecting consumers and is in line with the requirements of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
He said the disposal exercise, which was conducted in Chilanga District, comes after the Agency recently issued a product recall notice on selected batches to named suppliers in Lusaka.
And Mr. Maamba explained that ZCSA conducted a series of assessments and identified the selected batches of peanut butter that were found to be non-compliant.
He said peanut Butter is one of the food products covered by Compulsory Standards.
Mr. Maasmba has since urged manufacturers and importers to comply with the Compulsory Standard for Peanut Butter and other products covered by Compulsory Standards to protect consumers.
He further stated that the Agency will continue working closely with food producers, importers, retailers, and consumers to enhance consumer protection and ensure that all products covered by Compulsory Standards meet the prescribed safety standards.
Mr. Maamba emphasised that the Agency will also continue conducting Public Education and Enforcement activities in a bid to enhance consumer protection.
“ZCSA, a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, is mandated by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017, to administer, maintain and enforce compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety and health, consumer and environmental protection.” Mr. Maamba said
