MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
LCC SETS CONDITIONS FOR REOPENING OF PIZZA HUT.
Lusaka, Sunday 29th July, 2018.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has set five conditions for reopening of Pizza Hut which was closed down a week ago for being found with expired products in their outlets.
The conditions were set after considering the issues raised in their exculpatory letter for LCC not to commence legal action against them.
On 24th July, 2018 Pizza Hut management wrote to LCC requesting not be dragged to court as management was willing to put their house in order.
The request was a response to the 24 hour ultimatum issued by LCC for Pizza Hut management to show cause why legal action should not be taken against them.
The request prompted LCC to call for a meeting with Pizza Hut management on 25th July, 2018, in which meeting it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably in the interest of consumers and the business house.
However, LCC set out conditions to be met by Pizza Hut before they could be allowed to reopen for business.
Some of the conditions were that Pizza Hut should ensure that stock sheets indicating production and expiry dates were available and well maintained in all the outlets, all expired products and those not in use should always be cleared from the premises with the knowledge of LCC Waste Management Unit.
Others were to retrain and orient the outlet managers and food handlers on food safety and food laws and that the distribution centre and and all the outlets be re-inspected.
Pizza Hut was also asked to pay K45,000.00 to cover the cost of inspections, transportation and disposal of expired products and retraining of staff among other costs.
Pizza Hut has since met all the conditions with the latest being the retraining and orienting of staff which was held Saturday 28th July, 2018 at the Kabulonga outlet.
The local has warned and cautioned Pizza Hut management that should they be found wanting in future legal action would now be taken against them.
LCC hopes that the story of Pizza Hut would serve as a lesson to other business houses which may be neglecting the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia.
Issued by:
George Sichimba
Public Relations Manager
0977824039/0955925503