THOLE CALLS FOR MORE SENSITIZATION ON COMPULSORY STANDARDS

EASTERN Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, has called for more public awareness on products which are covered by compulsory standards so that consumers are protected from unsafe products on the market.

Mr. Thole said more should be done to educate people on regulated locally-manufactured and imported products to enable the public to make informed choices.

He was speaking in his office in Chipata on Thursday last week when a delegation from the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) paid a courtesy call on him on the side-lines of the 2024 N’cwala traditional ceremony.

Mr Thole said Eastern Province had seen an increase in cooperatives that were involved in food processing and hence it was important to ensure that such products were safe, reliable, and of high quality.

He said he was happy that ZCSA was proactive in enforcing compliance on compulsory standards and appealed to the Agency not to relent in its mandate for the purpose of public safety, health, environmental, and consumer protection.

“Here in Eastern Province, we are having an increase in value addition of agro products. The World Bank is sponsoring women driven agro-cooperatives.  The women have established production centres in about four districts of Eastern province and there is a need to enhance quality on these products,” Mr. Thole said.

He also urged ZCSA not to be punitive especially on upcoming food processors, adding that the Agency must be seen to be guiding producers with best manufacturing practices and that his office will fully support ZCSA’s mandate of ensuring public safety, health, environmental and consumer protection.

The Permanent Secretary noted that some locally manufactured alcoholic drinks were harmful to consumers.

“We agree with what you are advocating especially when it comes to the safety of our people in terms of food products and beverages which they consume. For example, the alcohol content of locally-produced beer, for example ‘Kachasu, and spirits is very high. I feel for inspectors because it is a challenge for them to go and regulate the Kachasu brewing.

“On consumables such as second hand inner clothing, we totally agree with you that such clothing should not be allowed on the market especially that we don’t know the health status of people who were wearing the used undergarments,” he said.