Staff Reporter
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) has officially confirmed that locally produced mealie-meal is free from cancer-causing substances, quelling public concerns over the safety of one of the nation’s most consumed staple foods.
This comes after rumours suggested that certain brands of mealie-meal could contain harmful chemicals, sparking widespread anxiety among consumers.
In response to these concerns, SAZ conducted rigorous laboratory tests on a variety of popular mealie-meal brands and found no evidence of harmful contaminants.
Addressing the issue in Harare yesterday, Rumbidzayi Svosve, the Chemical and Food Technology Laboratory Manager at SAZ, revealed that the tests specifically focused on detecting levels of Glyphosate, a herbicide suspected of having carcinogenic properties.
“The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) tasked our laboratory with analysing meal samples for Glyphosate levels. We tested six brands: Ngwerewere, Super Refined Meal, Red Seal Meal, Sunrise Roller Meal, Mega Roller Meal, Pearlenta, and Chibataura Roller Meal. All tested samples showed Glyphosate levels well below 0.5 parts per million, the limit of detection for our testing method. This means the mealie-meal is safe for consumption,” Svosve said.
These findings are expected to reassure consumers who had become hesitant to purchase locally produced mealie-meal following the claims.
The rigorous testing confirmed that the levels of Glyphosate in the products were far below the internationally accepted maximum residue limits.
GMAZ Chairperson Dr. Tafadzwa Musarara applauded the results, emphasizing the industry’s dedication to providing safe, high-quality products to Zimbabwean consumers.
“The safety of mealie-meal is paramount, especially given its importance as a staple food in almost every household. These results reaffirm the commitment of Zimbabwe's milling sector to food safety and product quality,” Dr. Musarara stated.
Dr. Musarara also noted that the tests would strengthen consumer confidence in the milling sector, fostering greater trust between consumers and producers.
“The transparency in testing and the industry’s proactive approach to addressing safety concerns should encourage more investment and support for local producers,” he said.
The test results come as a welcome relief, especially in light of ongoing efforts to boost production within the sector.
Dr. Musarara pointed out that with the safety of local mealie-meal confirmed, the focus can now shift to scaling up production to meet growing consumer demand.
"This will allow the industry to continue providing Zimbabwean households with safe, affordable, and high-quality mealie-meal, while also opening up opportunities for growth in regional markets,” Dr. Musarara explained.
In addition to the short-term relief provided by the current tests, Musarara also highlighted the need for long-term sustainability in Zimbabwe's milling industry.
He reiterated the importance of sustainable production practices and the role they play in ensuring continued access to safe food products.
The clearance of locally produced mealie-meal from cancer-causing elements is a significant step forward for Zimbabwe’s milling industry, showcasing a strong commitment to consumer safety and quality assurance.
With the safety concerns now resolved, consumers can look forward to enjoying their staple food with peace of mind, while the milling industry ramps up production and embraces sustainable practices to ensure food security for all Zimbabweans.
