Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) has cleared the mealie-meal produced locally of any cancer-causing elements.
In response to claims that locally produced mealie-meal is suspected to be containing cancer causing elements, the country’s institution mandated to promote safe and quality products, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe ( SAZ) carried out laboratory tests for over six mealie meal brands.
Presenting the results of the tests SAZ Chemical and Food Technology Laboratory Manager, Ms Rumbidzayi Svosve revealed that mealie meal produced locally is safe from cancer-causing elements.
“The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe tasked the laboratory to analyse meal samples for Glyphosate levels, the six samples of mealie meal for the following brands: Ngwerewere, Super refined meal, Red seal meal, Sunrise Roller meal, Mega Roller meal, Pearlenta and Chibataura Roller meal were then analyses, in all the analysed samples the levels of glyphosate were below 0,5 parts per million which is the limit detection for the method of test. This means that the detected levels are below the maximum residue limits and the analyzed meal samples are safe for consumption,” said SAZ Chemical and Food Technology Laboratory Manager, Ms Rumbidzayi Svosve.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson, Dr Tafadzwa Musarara said the tests are an indication of the mealie meal production value chain’s efforts to ensure food safety.
We tasked the SAZ to do the tests in the interest of ensuring safety of food systems while promoting sustainable production now the results have been released it is that time to further focus on scaling up production,” he said.
Results of the mealie meal production tests are expected to create business and consumer confidence within the country’s milling sector.
