ZIMBABWE – The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has announced that laboratory tests conducted on maize meal products produced by its members have confirmed that they are free from cancer-causing chemicals.
This announcement came in response to allegations made by activist Rutendo Matinyarare, who claimed that maize meal being imported and processed by GMAZ members contained harmful contaminants, particularly glyphosate.
In Zimbabwe, maize meal is a staple food consumed daily by millions, making the safety of this product critical to public health and confidence in the food system.
Addressing journalists in Harare, GMAZ chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara assured the public that there is no need for panic and vowed to hold accountable those spreading false information.
Musarara stated that since GMAZ commenced maize imports in October 2023, internal laboratory tests have consistently shown no harmful levels of glyphosate or other contaminants.
“Since we commenced imports in October 2023, no harmful content of glyphosate or any other material was detected by our internal labs,” Musarara said.
“All local millers are obtaining maize from the same silos, which is milled to produce the same brands that are sold nationwide in all retail shops,” he added.
Musarara also noted that the maize supplied to Zimbabwean millers is sourced from the same silos that provide maize to South African millers and export to Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Namibia.
He emphasized that no reports of harmful glyphosate levels had been raised in those countries, further validating the safety of the maize meal products in question.
Among the brands named in the allegations were National Foods, Blue Ribbon, and other prominent millers in Zimbabwe, all of whom are members of GMAZ.
Musarara stated that the association would stand by these companies in defending their commercial activities and maintaining their reputation.
“The Association will stand and fall with them in defending their legal commercial activities. We want to assure the market that Zimbabwe is food secure, with supplies exceeding demand. The food is safe, healthy, and nutritious,” he said, encouraging consumers to continue purchasing maize meal products with confidence.
To further reassure consumers, GMAZ has invited the public to bring in samples of maize meal for testing, with GMAZ offering to fund the process.
Additionally, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) was commissioned to carry out independent tests on the maize meal samples.
Danmore Mabambe, SAZ Director of Technical Services, confirmed that the samples analyzed, including brands such as Ngwerewere Super Refined Meal, Red Seal Super Roller Meal, and Pearlenta, contained glyphosate levels well below the maximum allowable limits.
“In all the analyzed samples, the levels of glyphosate were below 0.5 parts per million (ppm), which is the Limit of Detection for the method of test. This means that the detected levels are below the maximum residue limits, and the analyzed mealie meal samples are safe for consumption,” Mabambe said.
The GMAZ has also instructed its legal team to take action against those spreading false and malicious claims about its members’ products.
This legal recourse aims to protect the integrity of Zimbabwe’s maize milling industry and ensure the public’s trust in the safety of the country’s food supply.
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