By Chinoyi Chipulu
Information and Media permanent secretary Thabo Kawana says the government will continue to monitor the situation closely in order to enforce regulatory measure to protect animals and humans, after he mentioned eight brands found with aflatoxins
During a media briefing in Kitwe, Kawana named eight brands of mealie-meal which were found with elevated levels of aflatoxin among them, Pembe Milling, Africa Milling and Star Milling.
Other brands containing aflatoxin include aShabco Milling, Continental Milling, Girad Milling, Busu Milling as well as Farm Feed – Super Dog meal.
He said all batches associated with positive tests had been withdrawn and quarantined.
Kawana said immediate seizure notices had been issued to the affected companies to withdraw all affected batches from the market.
“Government would like to address the nation on concerns that have been raised following a press briefing by the Minister of Health on the detection of elevated aflatoxin levels in maize grain, animal feed and mealie meal currently under discussion in the country,” Kawana said.
He said aflatoxins above acceptable levels were a health risk to both humans and animals.
“In animals, high levels of aflatoxins can cause sudden death. It is important to mention that dogs are more susceptible to aflatoxin toxicity. In humans, chronic low-level exposure to aflatoxin increases the risk of liver inflammation and that of liver cancer. Adults are more tolerant to aflatoxins than children,” he said.
Kawana said the current ongoing investigation was essential as many milling companies produced products for both human and animal consumption.
“Affected batches of maize grain, dog food and maize meal have been recalled from the market and quarantined to safeguard consumers. All these contaminated batches will be publicly destroyed. The sampling efforts have been extended to other parts of the country to ensure comprehensive monitoring and control and to prevent further contamination of the food supply chain,” he said.
Kawana said a robust surveillance system detected the alarming number of dogs that died due to suspected feed contamination.
“The Ministry of Health through its disease surveillance and intelligence wing, the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) convened a multi sectoral one health team of experts who conducted field investigations and sampling of animal feed, maize grain and mealie meal. This investigation is currently ongoing and we are gathering more information,” he said.
Kawana also the said government collected samples from all millers and results would be communicated to the public soon.
“Please note that, of the samples so far tested, not all batches were found to be positive and some were negative. So all batches associated to positive tests have been withdrawn and quarantined,” he said.
Kawana further said the sampling efforts had been extended to other parts of the country to ensure comprehensive monitoring and control and to prevent further contamination of the food supply chain.
“Immediate seizure notices have been issued to the affected companies to withdraw all affected batches from the market and all affected batches of maize grain, dog food and maize meal have been recalled from the market and quarantined to safeguard consumers,” said Kawana.
