STIFFER PUNISHMENTS NEEDED - ZACA

THERE is need for more effort in policing outlets selling foodstuff to the public to ensure that they adhere to all conditions set out in their trading licenses, the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has demanded.

Speaking to the Daily Nation yesterday, ZACA executive secretary Juba Sakala said the Lusaka City Council (LCC) had done a fantastic job by maintaining that Pizza Hut outlets will remain closed until they meet all the conditions set out by the local authority but said more needed to be done in monitoring other outlets where food was sold as public health was a serious issue.

Mr. Sakala said that the Pizza Hut case could be just a tip on the iceberg as there could be more food outlets which were contravening with rules and regulations governing their existence and that such must be visited if Zambians were to be protected from consuming foods which were a health hazard to them.

“You cannot compromise on the health of the people especially where food consumption is concerned.

The fact that Pizza Hut was found contravening with set conditions meant that they were putting the lives of their customers at risk and we cannot continue like this. The closure of Pizza Hut must not be a once-off activity but must be rolled out to all food outlets,” Mr. Sakala said.

Yesterday, LCC public relations manager George Sichimba said the local authority had set five conditions for reopening Pizza Hut outlets in Lusaka which were closed down a week for using expired products.

Mr. Sichimba said the conditions were set after considering the issues raised in its exculpatory letter to LCC against commencement of legal action against it, where it pledged to put its house in order.

He said after submitting the exculpatory letter, LCC called for a meeting with Pizza Hut management on July 25, 2018 at which it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably in the interest of consumers and the business house.

However, LCC set out conditions to be met by Pizza Hut before they could be allowed to reopen for business.

“Some of the conditions were that Pizza Hut should ensure that stock sheets indicating production and expiry dates were available and well maintained in all the outlets, all expired products and those not in use should always be cleared from the premises with the knowledge of LCC Waste Management Unit,” Mr Sichimba said.