MBS bans Zest Soft Drink-Cola

The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has banned Zest Soft Drink-Cola with batch number B00893 in all market streams across the country.

The MBS says the decision follows recent routine regulatory conformity assessment activities, where it collected samples of the product in question for laboratory tests and results revealed critical noncompliance to the minimum requirements on the food safety parameters.

In a statement, the MBS said it recalled presence of the said product, adding, it is deemed defective and dangerous for use.

It reads in part: “Based on the laboratory tests that the MBS conducted, the product was deemed defective and dangerous for use, and in the interest of public health safety, and in line with provisions of the Malawi Bureau of Standards Act (Cap 51:02), Sections 39 (1) and 41, the MBS hereby bans and rejects presence of ZEST SOFT DRINK-COLA with batch number B00893 in all market streams across the country with immediate effect.

MBS has since issued a recall order on Snowman, a company that manufactures the product, stopping them from manufacturing and distributing of the product until all safety parameters are addressed.

“The MBS has since issued a recall order on Snowman Company which is based in Lilongwe stopping them from manufacturing and distribution of the product until all registered shortfalls on food safety parameters are addressed as stipulated in the relevant Malawi Standards. The MBS is, therefore, advising the general public to refrain from buying or consuming the product,” continues the statement.

The MBS also appeals to the general public to take appropriate actions on any defective batch observed on the market by notifying the Bureau if they encounter any health and safety problem associated with the use of the product.

Source:NPL