Pressure is mounting on the Zambian government to publicly reveal the names of milling companies found with a deadly toxin contaminating maize grain used to produce mealie meal, the country’s staple diet, and animal feed.
Rights groups, research organizations, and political parties have demanded that the government names the brands of the poisoned mealie meal and the affected milling companies.
This follows confirmation by Minister of Health Elijah Muchima on Tuesday that Aflatoxin poison has been found in maize and is suspected to have caused the deaths of over 400 dogs in one month after they consumed dog feed and nshima made from the poisoned mealie meal. Aflatoxins are produced by fungi, and are said to cause acute liver damage, liver cancer, immune suppression, and other health problems leading to fatalities in both humans and animals.
The government’s revelations have raised panic among consumers countrywide because mealie meal is the main staple food for nearly the entire population of 20 million Zambians.
“It is with great concern that I address the nation regarding the detection of harmful toxin levels in select maize meal,” Muchima said at a media conference.
However, the health minister withheld the names of the milling companies, and the specific mealie meal brands and could not disclose any details about the numbers of affected maize stocks nor did he give any indication of how long the aflatoxin-contaminated contaminated mealie-meal has been on the market.
The environmental group Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), has called for transparency from the government about the extent of the contamination and urged it to urgently prioritize the health and safety of citizens.
“They must swiftly come in to prevent further harm and by doing so it will show a lot of transparency and accountability. We are not in agreement that government should continue to protect or shield the names of the companies that are involved, the owners of the maize as well as the meal brand,” said CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape.
She said, “The public has a right to know which products are unsafe so they can protect themselves and that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that food on the market is safe for consumption. Transparency will ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that such negligence is not repeated.”
The Action Institute for Policy Analysis (AIPA) says it is deeply concerned about the government’s delayed response to the crisis and lack of information on the affected brands, which has left consumers vulnerable.
The institute has demanded swift action to protect the health and wellbeing of Zambians.
AIPA executive director Solomon Ngoma called on the government to promptly announce the contaminated brands to alert consumers, to immediately withdraw the harmful products from the market, and to provide clear guidelines for consumers to identify and handle potentially contaminated products.
“We urge the government to conduct thorough investigations into the source, distribution channels, and accountability, and implement stringent measures to prevent future occurrences,” said Ngoma.
The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has called for serious government attention to the maize contamination and appealed to consumers to be vigilant and take all the necessary precautions.
ZACA Executive Secretary Juba Sakala said it is well-documented that prolonged exposure to the toxins could cause severe liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer.
Muchima, who warned of the health risks to both humans and animals, said the government has recalled all the contaminated maize and is closely conducting surveillance and that the ministry has commenced investigations.
“All affected batches of maize meal have been recalled from the market to safeguard consumer health. Sampling efforts have been extended to other parts of the country to ensure we are closely monitoring, to control and prevent further contamination of the food supply chain and surveillance has been continued in other parts of the country,” Muchima said.
The revelations about the deadly aflatoxin have raised fears among consumers and come at a time when Zambia has been importing maize from its neighbors to beef up its depleted grain stocks after a failed crop season caused by El Nino weather. The country has received food aid as part of the drought response from the international community, including neighboring countries seeking to assist.
