Zim Now Writer
An investigation by the Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe has shown that the bulk of packed ice sold in liquor stores and supermarkets in Harare Metropolitan is contaminated with nitrites, cancer causing agents, and faecal bacteria.
Researchers at the UZ department said at the annual Research Innovation and Industrialisation Week that 99 percent of brands of packed ice sold in liquor stores and supermarkets in Harare posed a health risk to unsuspecting consumers.
The research team was led by Dr Batsirai Chipurura, a senior lecturer and researcher, and included Herbert Mtopa, Susan Chimukoko and Locardia Murimbika from the Department of Nutrition Dietetics and Food Sciences.
Most of ice brands had not been registered and approved by either the Ministry of Health and Child Care or certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe.
The research team collected samples from shops around Harare and found ice cubes or blocks with high levels of nitrites that are responsible for cancer in humans.
“One brand which we investigated had high levels of faecal contaminants. This is very disturbing and it poses a huge public health risk,” said Dr Chipurura.
“Faecal contaminates can spread cholera. Such companies need to be stopped as they are violating the Food and Food Standards Act. It is the role of the local councils to enforce the Food and Food Standards Act and the Public Health Act.”
The UZ researchers also found that the ice brands contained viable bacteria and heavy metals at levels that exceeded limits set by the World Health Organisation Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality.
High levels of nitrites can cause gastric and oesophageal cancer.
“In infants, nitrites compete with oxygen for active sites on haemoglobin, resulting in oxygen deprivation. For the safety of consumers, the nitrite levels should fall below the recommended maximum limit,” Dr Chipurura said.
He said brands sold in Harare do not adhere to SI265 of 2002 Food and Foods Standards (Food Labelling) Regulations, 2002 and the Food and Foods Standards (Inspections and Certification) Regulations, 2015.
“Some of these brands have unsubstantiated claims on their product labels. This is evident that these companies are operating without proper oversight and regulation by the relevant authorities,” the lead researcher said.
“A comparison of brands of those being sold in shops and by vendors in Harare’s Central Business District showed that only one ice brand was registered with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Certified by SAZ.”
The findings and recommendations by the UZ investigators have since been submitted to the Harare Health Services Department headed by Dr Prosper Chonzi, who promised to probe that matter and take appropriate action.
The UZ team noted that bacteria in such high concentrations and the presence of coliforms all pointed to failings in cleaning standards and could represent a potential risk to health, particularly for people with weakened immune systems.
“These results are really disappointing. I don’t think most people would expect this type of bacteria to be present in things we are actually consuming,” Frederick Masomere, a regular buyer of ice and soda for whisky.
“It’s so sad that most companies are not following all the cleaning procedures. Some of the SMEs do not have standards at all. They must be investigated and punished.”
Debra Mavingire, another Harare resident said: “Ice is like any other food. We consume it, we ingest it, it goes into our stomachs, into our guts and if it’s loaded up with the wrong type of bacteria the health risks are quite massive for us all.
“The City Health Department should close all the ice making companies found not to be adhering to the standards. These companies can’t just make huge profits at the expense of our health.”
Dr Chipurura said the industry needed to do better and improve the quality of ice sold on the market.
“Cleanliness of ice must be well managed,” he said.
“Health is a big issue and companies need to adhere to regulation and standards.”
A consumer expert advised the public to purchase ice cubes in sealed packages that showed the label, product details, weight and safety approvals.
“Consumers must also thoroughly observe the ice they get from freezers or dispensers in supermarkets and other outlets,” he said.
“Consumers must be alert and check that the ice packages they buy are not damaged, while the ice cubes must be clean and have no dust or weird smell coming out.”
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