ZABS seizes K5,000  expired drinks in Choma

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:29:20 +0000

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

EXPIRED products worth over K5, 000 have been seized from three shops in Choma and the culprits have since been served with a product rejection notice by the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS).

The action by the bureau was because the seized products did not guarantee quality and safety.

ZABS head of marketing and public relations, Hazel Zulu, explained that seized products included  99 cases of Coca-Cola, and seven loose bottles of King-Cola, all valued at K5, 785.00.

“The drinks were confiscated from Pano Chalo Distributors, Beenzu Grocery and Yesuka Bar, all of Choma town. This was discovered during a routine market surveillance and inspection that was conducted by ZABS inspectors on 3rd April 2017 to check levels of compliance on regulated products,” she said. Ms Zulu explained that the drinks were confiscated in accordance with the requirements of Zambian Standard ZS 203 for carbonated soft drinks and ZS 554 for fruit flavoured drinks.  She further explained that the Coca-Cola expired on 27th February 2017 while the King-Cola expired on 14th February 2017.

“ZABS would like to warn traders to desist from selling products that do not conform to set standards or that are beyond their shelf life as it is a risk to the health and safety of consumers.

“Traders are further advised to employ an effective stock rotation schedule to ensure that products are sold on a first-in, first-out basis to avoid keeping products beyond the expiry date,” she said.

Ms Zulu urged consumers to be alert and vigilant and always look out for critical information on product packaging such as the expiry date, the manufacturing date, and the batch number before making a purchase.

She also said ZABS would continue conducting market surveillances and inspections to ensure that consumers are protected from defective and harmful products.“ZABS develops national standards and promotes their use amongst industry to safeguard the health and safety of consumers and to enhance the quality, safety and competitiveness of products on the market,” she said.