ZCSA Seizes Non-Compliant Fruit Flavoured Drinks and Bottled Water Worth K12,780
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized and withdrawn from the market over 132 cases of non-compliant fruit flavoured drinks and bottled drinking water in Lusaka, valued at K12,780.
According to Onishias Maamba, Public Relations Officer for ZCSA, the beverages were illegally supplied to the market in violation of sections 15 and 21 of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
The non-compliant products were confiscated from the Kamwala Trading area during a market surveillance inspection aimed at assessing the compliance levels of beverages available to consumers.
“ZCSA is issuing a strong warning to entities involved in the manufacturing, importing, and supplying of products without adherence to Zambian laws,” stated Mr. Maamba. “Such products pose significant risks to public health and safety.”
Mr. Maamba emphasized that ZCSA will continue its enforcement and public education activities across Zambia to ensure only safe products are supplied to consumers.
He urged consumers to purchase beverages only from reputable suppliers and to avoid products of questionable origin.
“Beverages whose safety has not been verified can pose serious health risks,” he noted. Mr. Maamba encouraged consumers to report any suspicious or illegal production and supply of beverages, facilitating the implementation of necessary enforcement actions.
ZCSA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), is mandated by the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017 to administer, maintain, and enforce compulsory standards for public safety, health, and environmental protection.
