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Zambia allows South African chain store to import GMO foods

Xinhua, April 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Authorities in Zambia on Tuesday allowed a South African chain store to start importing foodstuffs containing Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) despite the country maintaining a moratorium on genetically engineered organisms.

The National Bio-safety Authority, a government institution that regulates the research, development, application, import, export and placing on the market of any GMOs, said it has granted Shoprite Checkers to starting importing foodstuffs that may contain GMOs.

According to a statement, the regulator said the chain store applied to start the importation of various food products which contain or may contain GMOs last year.

"In this regard, the NBA wishes to inform members of the public that African Supermarkets T/A Shoprite has been granted a permit to import food that may contain GMOs with effect from April 5, following the company's successful compliance provisions of the bio-safety Act No.10 of 2007," it added.

Among foodstuffs that the chain store will be importing includes bacon, chocolate, Robertson's spices, aromat seasoning, knorr soup and pronutro cereals.

Last year, Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda said the government had no intentions of allowing the importation of foods containing GMOs and that the government had no desire to lift the ban.

This was at the height of public displeasure over the decision by the chain store to apply for a permit to start importing foodstuffs containing GMOs.

In 2002, Zambia shocked the world when it declined food aid during a famine because it contained GMOs, with late President Levy Mwanawasa labeling the food as poison. Endit