In the wake of an alarming incident where several dogs died after consuming maize meal and grains contaminated with aflatoxin, the Zambian government has officially named eight maize meal brands found to contain elevated levels of this harmful toxin.
The affected brands include Pembe Roller Meal (Number Three Meal), Africa Milling (Roller Meal and Breakfast), Farm Feed (Super Dog Meal), Shabco Milling, Continental Milling, Girad Milling, Busu Milling, and Star Milling.
Confirming the development, Permanent Secretary for Information and Media, Thabo Kawana, stated that the companies responsible for producing these brands have been notified and are cooperating with authorities. Immediate seizure notices have been issued to ensure that the affected batches are withdrawn from the market.
“The Ministry of Health, through its disease surveillance and intelligence wing, the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), assembled a multisectoral One Health team of experts to conduct field investigations and sample collection of animal feed, maize grain, and mealie meal,” said Kawana.
He emphasized the importance of these investigations, which began in June of this year, noting that many milling companies produce products for both human and animal consumption. The collected samples were analyzed at the National Food Laboratory and the Zambia Bureau of Standards laboratories.
“Laboratory results from the sampled batches of animal feed, maize grain, and mealie meal have confirmed aflatoxin levels exceeding acceptable limits. For our region, the acceptable range is below 10 parts per billion. The following brands were found to contain elevated levels of aflatoxin: Pembe Roller Meal (Number Three Meal), Africa Milling (Roller Meal and Breakfast), Farm Feed (Super Dog Meal), Shabco Milling, Continental Milling, Girad Milling, Busu Milling, and Star Milling,” Kawana disclosed.
Kawana clarified that not all batches of these brands tested positive for high aflatoxin levels; some were within safe limits. However, all batches that tested positive have been withdrawn and quarantined to prevent further contamination.
Aflatoxins are a group of toxins produced by certain types of fungi or molds that commonly grow on agricultural crops such as maize, cassava, cottonseed, millet, rice, sorghum, sunflower seeds, wheat, peanuts, and groundnuts. These toxins pose significant health risks to both humans and animals, making the government’s swift action crucial in protecting public health