"Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency probing safety of Blue Band Margarine"

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has instituted investigations in reports that BlueBand Fat Spread did not melt in hot water. A video on social media alleges that BlueBand Fat Spread bought from Pick N Pay Woodlands could not melt even after subjecting to boiling water. 

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) in a statement says it has instituted investigations in the alleged claim so as to ascertain the objectiveness of the matter. “As at 11th July 2018, ZCSA Inspectors visited Pick N Pay woodlands in Lusaka, where the product is purported to have been bought. The product was inspected and samples from different batches have been submitted for laboratory analysis,” says Agency Head of Public Relations Lee Haamunji. Mr Haamunji said the impending results will direct ZCSA follow up action which will be made public as soon as possible. “Furthermore, ZCSA would like to appeal to the claimant on the video to come forth and lodge in a formal complaint to the regulator...We applaud the vigilance exhibited by the claimant and we urge other consumers to be alert and report any product that they suspect to be unsafe to their health. The battle for quality needs concerted efforts from all stakeholders including consumers and regulators...The safety and quality of products should never be compromised as such we call upon all manufacturers in Zambia to ensure that their products are meeting the required parameters of the various standards”.

Mr Haamunji said ZCSA will continue carrying out market surveillances and inspections of products to ensure that the products especially those which falls within the umbrella of compulsory standards are safe for consumption and do not pose any health risk to consumers.