Government has observed that Zambian companies have the potential to produce food products that meet international standards.
Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda said the common misconception that the quality of goods being produced in Zambia was of sub-standard was wrong.
Mr. Chenda said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary (PS) Siazongo Siakalenge during the celebration of the Parmalat International Standards Organization (ISO) accreditation last evening in Lusaka.
He said Zambia has companies such as Parmalat Zambia Limited that were producing high quality food products that could compete highly and favourably on the international market.
The minister praised Parmalat for its commitment to ensuring that it produces high quality food products and for undergoing the ISO accreditation to prove its worthiness.
Mr. Chenda stated that government would welcome any initiative that would propel local producers to produce food products that not only meet local standards but also meet internationally accepted standards.
Meanwhile, Parmalat Zambia Limited Managing Director Piet Theron pledged his company’s commitment to continue providing quality food products for both the Zambian and international markets.
Mr. Theron said Parmalat Zambia Limited will produce products that will be appreciated by the consumers now and in future.
And Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) Director Manuel Mutale said it takes hard work for a company to produce high quality products such as the ones Parmalat Zambia Limited produces.
Mr. Mutale pointed out that the production of good products instils confidence in the consumers to purchase such goods.
Speaking at the same function, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Director Frank Makamo commended Parmalat Zambia Limited for producing high quality products that meant the expectation of consumers.
Mr. Makamo urged the company not to relent in its efforts of ensuring that it continues producing good food products.
ZANIS
Good job well done Zambians, and I also concur with what has been reported above, for instance Zambian beef products are among the best in the region. In fact I would not even sound less knowledgeable even if I said that Zambian beef is better South African beef. The beef which we consume in South Africa is of low standards even though we buy it in up market butcheries or surban supermarkets for high-end consumers. I have consumed Zambian meat products of much better quality at a fraction of what I spend on our over rated junk meat products in South Africa.
their are bamudala,as they lack consistancy.today it will be good tomorow its salty.unless you leave outside Zambia even our maheu its different from the way it was when it started.
Zambian beverages taste better please keep it up. Zambian hair products especially those which are manufactured in Ndola are rated as some of the best in South Africa. Note that even Americans buy Zambian hair products in the US itself. There is a lot happening in Zambia and keep on developing innovative ideas so that Zambians can grow their economy at a much faster rate. You must also export Zambia vegetables because Zambia has different types of them, unlike South Africa which has limited types of vegetables. Zambian sausages are better than South African browoes (sausages). Zambia can be competitive internationally and those firms should just work on proper packaging by involving industrial engineering psychologists. You can do it, just have the guts and stand up.
Imwe ba Chenda, what the hell are you talking about? Name 5 Zambian products that are of HIGH quality besides MOSI?
Ikalenifye tontolo daddy, discuss issues that have merit here instead of wasting our time. Styopet.
Good thinking, zambia can make it based on agriculture only. But there has to be solid support from govt to encourage these industries to thrive, at the moment all they do is supress people with their foolishness and inefficiency.
What Zambian produced products? Ah.. you mean vegetables?
Its true that zambian products are of low quality.Take for instance the poor food handling process and you’ll see that it can’t pass the stringent hygeine standards of the west.Our grain handling at FRA is open to outside elements and there no humidity control to keep food fresh.The foods sold by the rd side to zambians is also potentially risky due to flies,dust,garbage and dirty vendors.Our water bodies which produce fish are also used as laundry areas or for bathing which makes fish taken from these places very unhealthy.The quality of zambian foods is very questionable.