By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Lusaka City Council has closed an illegal wine Factory at Evelyn Hone College.
LCC Public Relations Manger George Sichimba said that this follows a complaint from the institution administration after it noticed a fermentation smell coming from the school canteen.
Mr Sichimba said 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 been done in one place.
He said 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 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,” he said.
Mr Sichimba said LCC has since Seized on Premise all goods that were in the factory until investigations are concluded.
He urged members of the public to be on the look out for these products that look as innocent soft drinks but have unknown alcohol/chemical contents in them.
Mr Sichimba said that the Local Authority is advising all institutions to take keen interest in reporting all suspicious business activities/premises to the relevant authorities.
He said Council warns all persons involved in illegal brewing and distribution of uncertified wines to stop operations before they are visited by he local authority.
