Hone canteen wine factory shut down

THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has closed an illegal wine Factory at Evelyn Hone College. This follows a complaint from the institution administration after it noticed a fermentation smell coming from the school canteen. LCC public relations officer Emmanuel Lupikisha who confirmed the development said that acting on the tip, a team of LCC Public health inspectors moved to the scene and found a wine Factory running and all process involved in the making and packaging of the product was being done in one place. He said that workers at the factory manually packaged the wine into bottles without any protective equipment and no measures were in place to allow for safe food handling. The public relations officer stated that the factory was making wines labeled Zikomo, Chibe Pakapaka, Natotela, Zambezi, Sansamukeni and Banana Wine. “At the time of Inspection, the owner of the factory was unable to produce any  permits that allows them to manufacture and distribute the wine. “This is contrary to Liquor Licensing Act No 20 of 2011, Public Health Act  Cap 295 and Food, Drug Safety Act No. 7 of 2019 of the Laws of Zambia. “We have since Seized on Premise all goods that were in the factory until investigations are concluded. Mr Lupikisha has since cautioned members of the public to be on the look out for the products that look as innocent soft drinks but have unknown alcohol/chemical contents in them. The local authority further advised all institutions to take keen interest in reporting all suspicious business activities/premises to the  relevant authorities.  He also warned people involved in illegal brewing and distribution of uncertified wines to stop operations before they are visited by the local authority. The Sun