Contaminated corn flour alert: Reinforcement of preventive measures at borders

The Minister of Foreign Trade of the DRC, Julien Paluku, has warned of the possible presence of corn flour contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxic substance dangerous to human and animal health, likely to enter Congolese territory via Kasumbalesa. Faced with this threat, preventive measures have been taken to protect the population.

After being informed of the situation on Saturday, August 24, 2024, Julien Paluku immediately spoke with his Zambian counterpart. At the end of this discussion, he ordered the Secretary General for Foreign Trade, also Chairman of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Commission (SPS), to convene an emergency meeting to address this issue.

A technical meeting was held on the night of August 24, bringing together experts from the Ministries of Foreign Trade, Interior and Security, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, as well as representatives of the Congolese Control Office (OCC) and the Association of Consumers of Food Products. This meeting confirmed the threat posed by contaminated flour and led to several decisions.

The brands of corn flour affected by this contamination are Africa Milling, Roller Meal and Breakfast, Farm Feed Super Dog Meal, Continental Milling, Shabco Milling, Girad Milling, Busu Milling and Star Milling. The Minister therefore banned the entry into the national territory of these products, as well as their consumption, marketing and distribution throughout the Congolese territory. He also ordered the tracing and withdrawal of products already present in the national commercial circuit and announced that severe sanctions, ranging from seizure to destruction at the offenders’ expense, would be applied in the event of fraudulent importation of these products.

Julien Paluku stressed the importance of respecting the regulations on the movement of goods and urged the Congolese population to avoid any form of fraud to protect the nation from disastrous consequences. Several officials, including the Secretary General for Foreign Trade, the Director General of Customs and Excise, and the National Director of Border Hygiene, were tasked with implementing these measures.

/actualité.cd

2024-08-25 10:55:34
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