The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) has announced that recent tests on six popular mealie meal brands have confirmed the absence of harmful levels of glyphosate, a cancer-causing herbicide commonly used in agriculture.
In a statement released on Monday, 14 October, SAZ detailed that it tested Ngwerewere Super Refined Meal, Red Seal Super Roller Meal, Sunrise Roller Meal, Mega Roller Meal, Pearlenta, and Chibataura Roller Meal at the request of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ).
SAZ Director General Duncan Madambe affirmed that the tests revealed the products available on the market are safe and adhere to international safety standards. Said Madambe:
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe tasked the laboratory to analyse mealie meal samples for Glyphosate levels.
The six samples of mealie meal for the following brands; Ngwerewere Super refined meal, Red seal Super Roller meal, Sunrise Super Roller meal, Mega Roller meal, Pearlenta and Chibataura Roller meal were then analysed.
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.
It is important to note that there are governing limits for every pesticide, known as Maximum Residue Levels (MRLS).
These are the maximum concentrations in or on food/feed of plant and animal origin that is legally tolerated for it to be considered safe.
Our National Standard for maize meal (ZWS 760) makes reference to the CODEX (Internationally agreed Food Standards) limits for glyphosate in maize to which manufacturers should comply with.
The CODEX 158:2006 glyphosate limit for maize is 5 parts per million (ppm). This means that the detected levels are below the maximum residue limits and the analyzed mealie meal samples are safe for consumption.
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