ZDDM seeks clarification from Zambia Bureau of Standards on Zambeef Saga

The Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) has written to the Zambia Bureau of Standards to seek clarification on the presence of Aromatic Aldehydes in the imported ZAMBEEF products from the United Kingdom.

ZDDM President, Edwin Sakala said in a letter addresed to the Director of Zambia Bureau of Standards dated August 1,2013 and obtained by Zambian Eye that he needs more clarification on the issue especially after Health Minister confirmed the presence of the chemicals.

Sakala said the Minister’s statement on the issue which was tabled in parliament was not conclusive.
He explained that he expected the Minister to indicate the level of toxity of the chemical which was found in imported meat products.

“Leaving the message the way it was made, does not satisfy the question people have at the moment regarding the toxicity of the chemical.The trouble we have with the announcement by the Minister of Health in Parliament is that, it saved as a confirmation of the media reports that the chemical which was in the meat product harmful to human life.” he said.

Sakala said although the samples taken in South Africa confirmed the presence of the chemicals, it was still argued that, lack of information on the level of toxicity in indicates that the food meat product from the UK and America could not be safe for human consumption.

He said the statement could have been taken as a confirmation to the nation that was already fed with the news of the meat product which was harmful to human life when it could have been the opposite.

He added that the party has therefore taken the move to write to ZABS as a body mandated by law to promote fair play in the way business is done. Sakala has requested them to take a keen interest and make independent verification and establish the truth regarding the complaints.

He said the party is of firm belief that someone is bent on destroying the meat industry in the country.
The ZDDM leader has also requested the Bureau to make a finding and establish whether or not chemicals found in other food substances are harmful to human life.