ZCSA Urges Consumers to Avoid Unregulated Beverages

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has appealed to consumers urging them not to consume any form of beverage which has not been approved by the authorities.

Concern rose considerably about the production and sale of illegal alcohol after Police received reports of ten fatalities after the consumption of a homemade beer called Chijabi, which contained methylated spirit, tablets and shoe polish amongst other toxic ingredients.

In Lusaka, a Coca Cola bottle was seized which contained a liquid attempting to pass as Fanta.

According to a 2017 report, alcohol consumption was at 21.7%. With beer prices increasing drastically, many bar owners switch to brewing and selling illegal beverages such as Kachasu – made from fermented maize husk, sugar and yeast, however it often contains undisclosed ingredients and additives.

Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Rural Development Ministry Mambo Hamaundu said on 19th May that any illegal liqueur stores in communities would be shut down, and all legal alcohol traders will operate within the regulations.