KEY POINTS
- The Standards Association of Zimbabwe confirmed that Grain Millers’ products are free of cancer-causing elements.
- The clearance followed a thorough investigation into the quality and safety of their products.
- This announcement eases public concerns about food safety in Zimbabwe’s grain market.
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) has today released a statement stating that Grain Millers’ products contain no cancer causing substances, a statement that has been received with relief by consumers across the country. In a recent study that sought to determine the quality of the company’s products, SAZ established that the products are safe for consumption contrary to rumors that have circulated in the recent past.
This comes in the wake of concern by the public over reports that grain products in circulation in the Zimbabwe market contained chemicals believed to cause cancer. These concerns raised a storm among the consumers especially those who rely on locally produced grains for their staple foods.
Safety clearance after stringent testing
The SAZ subjected a number of products from the members of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe to a number of tests. The standards body said that the examination was conducted to determine the presence of toxic chemicals and other dangerous substances that are known to cause health complications such as cancer. SAZ also affirmed that none of the products were a danger to the public’s health after conducting several tests.
The director of the association, Dr. Eve Gadzikwa, stressed that the food industry should adhere to high standards. She wants the public to know that they continue to produce foods that are safe to consume and meet all requirements on the international foods safety standards. She also focused on the necessity to carry out steady supervision with the purpose to exclude the products which meet these norms from the food market.
Gadzikwa also went on to say that “consumers have a right to know the quality of the food they consume” and that the organization will continue to fight for the rights of the consumers. According to New Zimbabwe, the findings of the investigation have been released to the public to give confidence on grains produced in Zimbabwe.
Consumer concerns and market reactions
Late last year, there were rising concerns among Zimbabwean consumers over the quality of grain products due to allegations that some of them contained cancer causing substances. The fears were fueled by information from other countries that some food additives and preservatives cause cancer thus increasing the vigilance on the domestic grain market.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, one of the largest food producers in the country, received much pressure to respond to these issues effectively to guarantee their products’ safety. The company was happy to receive clearance from the SAZ, saying that the tests proved that their products were of high quality.
In a statement, the association said that it will continue to uphold the highest standards of food hygiene and that all the products sold will be in compliance with the local and international standards. This is likely to bring confidence back in the grain market in Zimbabwe which had been dented by the circulation of information on food adulteration.
Food safety in focus
This clearance by the SAZ is good for Zimbabwe’s food industry especially at a time where food safety is becoming a major concern across the world. Interest in the quality and safety of food has increased from time to time due to more complaints regarding the presence of toxic chemicals in foods.
Safeguarding food products is not only important to the health of the people but also important to the credibility of food producers in the region. The Zimbabwean government and food industry players have been trying to enhance the laws and standards to eliminate the use of dangerous substances.
The Zimbabwean consumers have developed a concern towards the source of their foods and the health consequences of the grains produced locally, thus the need to ensure that the grains are not contaminated with chemicals. In this case, the SAZ has been playing a significant role in certifying products to ensure that the consumers in the country have confidence in the food supply.
Restoring trust and the process of recovery
With this clearance, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe is engaged in the strategy of rebuilding the public trust and asserting its position of the leader in grain milling sector. The certification of the SAZ is a good reminder of the need to have very high standards when it comes to quality checks on foods.
To the consumers, this statement offers some consolation that Zimbabwe’s food industry has not turned its back on consumers and it is fully concerned with public health consequences of its products. In the future, the emphasis will probably continue to be placed on regular testing and reporting to avoid similar health issues.
