Posted on March, 5, 2019 at 10:44 am
THE government has launched an exercise to collect samples of maize flour from various grain milling machines countrywide to see if they follow all required standards.
Speaking over the weekend during an event which was held in Dar es Salaam at Muungano Street in Manzese area , Inspector from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards Baraka Mbajije, said they would be taking maize flour samples from grain processing machines and markets.
“We will send them to our accredited laboratory to see whether the manufacturers follow all standards procedures during production, he said.
He said the test results will be released after seven days and all processors will be notified whether they qualify or not.
Mbajije noted that if the results test proved failure, the processors would be compelled to stop production of the said products and compelled to follow standards requirement procedures.
He revealed that the Standards watchdog had received complaints from various people in the city regarding the quality of the maize flour.
According to him similar exercise is being conducted in various regions countrywide to see whether manufacturers and food processors adhere to the standards requirements.
“ Our main role is to protect consumers from purchasing substandard goods which are not good for their health and increases costs of living,” he added.
He urged the public to buy products from certified and legally recognised outlets scattered all over the country. The new standard for maize flour in the country is TZS 328: 2016
"There are many people in the country who are victims of substandard goods and we must take action to protect them,” Charles said.
He said the organisation will continue taking harsh measures against people who are engaged in the importation and sale of substandard goods countrywide.
Standards Act No. 2 of 2009 states that TBS is mandated to promote standards, and in doing so it cannot compromise quality. It empowers the agency to suspend production or importation of any goods which abuse procedures.
According to him, inspectors from TBS would keep on to conduct inspections in various markets , to buy samples of various products and test to see if they meet the required standard.
On his part, a flour maize processor at Manzese area identified as Severine Thomas, thanked the officials from Standards watchdog for visiting them.
“I have never come across with you, we will take all your recommendations in order to improve our products and enable them to be sold beyond Tanzania boarders,” he said.
He appealed to the government organs to conduct more inspections and awareness campaigns on substandard products in order to save the lives of many Tanzanians
“I urge the government to continue conducting inspections and awareness education programmes to consumers on the importance of quality maize flour, “ Thomas said.
He said they are ready to support the government in its fight to remove substandard products in the market.
According to him , the problem of substandard maize flour was becoming big hence concerted efforts were needed to stop the ugly practice.
He urged the government through TBS to enhance its cooperation with the local food processors who know the culprits.
Source: IPP Media