Theft of GMO Mealie Meal Raises Concerns About Market Flooding in Zambia
The Zambia National Service (ZNS) reported the theft of a significant quantity of imported GMO mealie meal from a warehouse in Kasumbalesa, intended for export to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The stolen goods, valued at over K68,000, have sparked fears of potential flooding of the Zambian market with genetically modified organisms (GMO) products.
The incident, which occurred on the night of February 19th, 2024, has raised suspicions among concerned members of the public and the Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA).
Questions have been raised about the government’s decision to import GMO mealie meal from South Africa on behalf of the DRC, with some expressing concerns about the health risks posed by GMO products.
Colonel Mable Mulenga Nyone, the Chief Marketing & Public Relations Officer of ZNS, condemned the theft as a setback to the Service’s efforts to support government initiatives and generate additional revenue.
Nyone emphasized that ZNS is collaborating with the Zambia Police to apprehend the perpetrators and urged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to the stolen mealie meal.
Furthermore, Nyone urged the public to refrain from purchasing the stolen GMO mealie meal, particularly those bearing black labels. She emphasized the importance of vigilance in preventing the illegal distribution of the stolen goods.
Despite efforts to address the situation, Defense Minister Ambrose Lifuma and ZNS could not confirm whether the stolen GMO mealie meal has entered the Zambian market.
Concerns have also been raised about the choice of ZNS as the supplier, given its role as a major provider of non-GMO mealie meal to local consumers.
This development has fueled panic among some members of the public, who fear that the stolen GMO mealie meal might be mixed with locally produced non-GMO mealie meal and distributed to unsuspecting consumers through theft or smuggling.
As investigations continue into the theft and potential market implications, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges associated with ensuring food security and consumer safety in the face of illicit activities and the introduction of GMO products into the market.
Additional source: Zambia Business Times
