The National Biosafety Authority has seized various food products and feed containing Genetically Modified Organisms from Food Lovers and Spar which were being sold without permits from the Authority.
Some of the confiscated products were imported into the country illegally.
The Authority pounced on the unsuspecting chain supermarkets at East Park and Arcades Shopping malls on Tuesday afternoon for selling products containing genetically modified organisms which have not been assessed for their safety as food and feed, thereby contravening provisions of the Biosafety Act No 10 of 2007.
Under the regulation of activities relating to genetically modified organisms of the Section 10 Sub-section 1 of the Biosafety Act,it clearly stated that “A person shall not research on, develop, produce, import, export, transit, carry out any contained use, release or place on the market any genetically modified organism or any product of a genetically modified organism or deal in any manner with any genetically modified organism or a product of a genetically modified organism without the prior approval of the Authority.”
The two chain supermarkets were found wanting and as such the Authority had to seize the various food products which will be destroyed in accordance with the law.
Among the food products confiscated, include biscuits, chips, soups, spices, soya pieces, cornflakes and assorted crackers whilst feed included dog and cat food.
The two supermarkets were previously engaged and sensitized by the NBA on the need to get permits if they are to trade in products of GMOs.
In Spar, apart from their branded products containing GMOs, confiscated items include samples of products from suppliers who have permits but Spar did not have copies of the permits to place on the market, as a requirement for traceability,by the time of the visit.
Spar was, however, asked to produce copies of permits by Wednesday 20th February, 2019 failure to which the goods which were removed from the shelves will also be seized and destroyed.
The NBA would like to further warn all traders that they risk facing the law if they do not have copies of permits, even from their distributors, to sell products of GMO.
The Authority in October last year gave traders, wholesalers, chain stores and supermarkets a one week ultimatum to get permits to sell products of GMOs from their distributors and suppliers.
“We are concerned that some traders do not have the copies readily available in their stores. It is a requirement that such permits are in the shops and produced when requested by the Biosafety Inspectors.” The Authority said in a statement issued to the media.
If there is proof beyond doubt that the 2 chain stores have contravened the law of the land, they should be subjected to facing the Law other than just having their products destroyed.
Mujajati does a similar thing to ensure standards in health services are met he is removed from his position …… ZAMBIA!
Don’t just confiscate. Prosecute!
Have the authority authorise the consumption of GMO in Zambia such that these chain stores should get permit for importing and selling in their stores. Please help me I want to understand this.
What’s the punishment they face apart from confiscation of there products.
I think the so called authorities should be clear because these Superstores buy in bulk they are not buying for one shelf but dozens of stores.
Yes. meaning confiscating in one shop does not halt the scourge. They should enter their main warehouse
It’s all mambo jumbo, really. Since when do we allow GMO products into Zambia? Are they clearly labelled? So someone please tell me how a GMO looks like to a Zambian villager who can’t read a label(if the govt even thought this out)?
Fact is the gov’ts messing with people, being lenient to ‘investors,’ to do as they like. Gov’t should not be feeding us GMO if we say we don’t want it on our soil. If we don’t grow it we should not be tricked into eating it.
It’s a con. This is probably happening with our maize and our national foods. What stops Spar selling GMO maize flour if they have clearly demonstrated they can get it in, tuck it in and sell it under cover?
Your govt signed a deal with Masanto years ago …for that evil company to supply seeds in exchange for loans..the maize seeds supplied by FRA are probably GMO.
But in the positive side, it’s clear NBA, are doing a stellar job catching up with culprits. Hope their task is well funded. Empower them to be more prolific/vigilant in this GMO war.
We need citizen vigilantes to help out!!!!! Report a GMO product when you see it.
Tut, tut @Jay Jay is that came news? Be careful not to go too much over the top with dissident propaganda. If that’s true then pretty much nothing in Zambia is Organic.
Is that Fake news…..@Jay Jay?
Its backed up with links…or you’re too lazy to search?
For the store to stock such, it clearly shows how weak the law is on this issue. They were warned in October and why are they daring the authority?
Some will lose their jobs at National Biosafety Authority for doing their duties as expected because under PF if u do the right thing, you will be fired. These chain stores can not dare the authority unless some big fish in govt is in their pockets. Very soon the Minister of Health will over rule them. He is a very craft man.
Artificial feeds for humans in Zambia, wow we are becoming a dump in the continent. 2026 am standing as president
Not all GMO’s are actually necessary bad. You only have to authenticate the source and tests that were carried out. If this is a wholesome ban of all GMO’s, then that clearly not helpful.
… clearly is not helpful
I thinking to follow laws is good.