More ‘beef’ on Zambeef

.zm” class=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/22/13

CAUCUS: ZAMBEEF chief executive officer Francis Grogan (right), executive director, Yusuf Koya (centre) and Board director, Lawrence Sikutwa after addressing Media houses at the Headquarters in Lusaka’s light Industrial area on Friday. – Picture by COLLINS PHIRI.

…as it’s accused of contaminating evidence
By NOMSA NKANA and MUNIDE ZULU
The Zambeef meat saga has taken a new twist with an environmental watchdog coming into the fray and accusing the company of tampering with evidence as the “beef preservative” wars rage on.
According to the Zambia Institute of Environmental Health (ZIEH), Zambeef imported meat products seized in Chongwe and Kitwe have been tampered with.
ZIEH has since urged Government to consider establishing provincial laboratories for quick analysis of collected samples as the company continues to declare its innocence.
Things have not been well with the company since news reports placed it on the spot for allegedly selling meat products that contain a food preservative that can also be used for embalming dead bodies of human beings.
The preservative is believed to have the ability to cause harm to human health.
The London Stock Exchange-listed (AIM) company posted a comfortable US$9million in pre-tax profits up to the period ending March 31, according to data on the LSE website.
The Sunday Mail has not been able to establish whether the Zambeef listing had moved up or down since the preservative story was broken by the Zambian media.
The company was incorporated in June 1994 and listed on the LuSE in February 2003, according to data on its website, which also states that since its incorporation as a “small-scale start-up business,” the group has, through organic and acquisitive growth, become one of Zambia’s largest agri-businesses with annual revenues of ZMW1,296 million (approximately US$255 million) for the financial year ended 30 September 2012.
Meanwhile, Zambeef Plc. outlets remained deserted by its regular customers following media reports that there are “dangerous levels of aromatic aldehydes” in their imported meat products as the story went viral on Facebook and other social media.
ZIEH vice-president Chabala Chanda said the alleged action by Zambeef to remove the seized products is tantamount to obstruction of justice, according to the provisions of section 24 (9) of the Food and Drugs Act cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chanda said the Public Health Act Cap 295 and the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia clearly guide on what should be followed when importing meat from outside.
Mr Chanda said in terms of adulteration, section 3 of the Food and Drugs Act prohibits against the sale of poisonous, unwholesome or adulterated food.
He said sources of all meats sold within districts by different suppliers should be known, adding that documentation should be complete according to the provisions of the law.
And Mr Chanda has taken great exception to the comments made by Zambeef chief executive officer Francis Grogan, who doubted the competence of ZIEH members to take samples.
“We have every confidence in the Food and Drugs Laboratory set up by the State as provided for by the Food and Drug Act. Other tests carried outside the country or any other laboratory within the country cannot stand in our courts of law but are welcome for verification,” he said.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt ZIEH chapter president Kenzo Mumba said a Kitwe City Council officer was pressurised and threatened into releasing the seized meat.
Mr Mumba said in Chongwe, Zambeef removed the contaminated products from their storage facility and released them into circulation.
He said at Huntley Farm, which is one of Zambeef’s storage facilities, the withdrawn meat products were recalled for re-packaging.
“That meat expired, for what purpose was it recalled? Why would they want to repackage it? They did not even inform the public health authorities about that meat, which is another offence,” he said.
Zambeef has recalled imported beef products from its outlets following recent reports that the products contain dangerous levels of aromatic aldehydes, a chemical used to embalm dead bodies which could cause organic cancer.
A check by Sunday Mail on some Zambeef outlets in the Lusaka business centre, Kamwala and Kalingalinga found that there were few customers buying their products.
Some workers who did not disclose their names said they (Zambeef) have lost business since the story went viral.
And Melvis Tembo, a regular Zambeef customer, said she is still in shock since the story broke. She is now having problems eating meat.
She threatened to sue Zambeef if she fell ill.
Another customer, John Banda, said he was very disappointed with Zambeef adding it will take time for him to buy any Zambeef products or trust any outlet that sells such products.
“I want Zambeef to compensate Zambians that will be affected by their products,” he said.