By JAMES KUNDA? –
THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a red-alert against consumption and trade of Tiger branded foods from South Africa because of possible contamination.
CCPC public health officer Twaambo Chuula issued a statement warning members of the public against trading and consuming the Tiger branded products, which were suspected to contain harmful substances.
Mr Chuula said yesterday that the foods, manufactured in India and imported into South Africa by the Tiger Brands, may contain colourants harmful to humans.
Mr Chuula said Tiger Brands which was one of South Africa’s biggest food suppliers recently recalled a variety of products manufactured this year between June and July and arrived in South Africa between August and September, this year.
He said among the foodstuffs recalled were delicious cook-in-sauces and ready-to-eat-rice, while other tastic products were not affected.
Mr Chuula said at the date of recall, Tiger Brands had sold 17,000 of the ‘simply delicious’ cook-in-sauces and the ready-to-eat-rice to major retailers in South Africa.
“Traces of potentially toxic and carcinogenic (cancer properties) colourants methyl yellow and Sudan1, were found and these foods have since been recalled from the South African market.
The commission’s major concern is that the products might have crossed the South African border into neighbouring countries, Zambia inclusive,” he said.
He said the commission was also concerned that the products could have been purchased by the Zambian consumers and were thereby posing a chronic exposure to doses of carcinogenic and toxic products to the public.
He, however, said the commission had engaged Tiger Brands, Pick N Pay Zambia and Shoprite Zambia to ascertain whether the recalled products could have crossed the South African border into the country.
“As a precaution, the commission would like to encourage the Zambian consumers who might have purchased the recalled tastic simply delicious and cook in sauce from any Zambian store to return them to the shop where they were bought, as these products are not safe for?consumption,” he said.
“The public are also encouraged to inform the commission if these products are found being sold by traders, further, the traders should desist from selling these products, as this is violation of Section 52 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act No. 24 of the Laws of Zambia,” Mr Chuula said.