Unsafe to Sip

ZCSA Seizes Contaminated Water Products in Copperbelt

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia – (28-05-2025) – The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has suspended the supply of several non-compliant packaged drinking water brands in Ndola and Kitwe for violating essential public health and safety standards.

The enforcement action, driven by routine inspections and proactive market surveillance, led to the seizure of 113 cases of packaged water, valued at K7,475 which compromised public health and consumer safety.

The products were found to be in breach of Zambian Standard ZS 388: Bottled Drinking Water Specification, and the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017 — legislation designed to protect consumers from unsafe and substandard goods.

Several of the seized brands were unregistered with the agency, while others were suspected of posing serious health risks due to unhygienic and non-compliant production practices.

“This is not just about regulatory compliance—it’s about protecting the lives and well-being of consumers,” said Brian Hatyoka, ZCSA Manager for Communications and Public Relations.

He explained that the agency had taken proactive, precautionary measures by suspending the affected products from the market to compel the companies involved to implement corrective actions and meet all statutory safety requirements.

“The affected products will remain off the market until the companies involved fully comply with our compulsory safety standards,” Hatyoka emphasized.

ZCSA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, has a clear mandate: to administer, maintain, and enforce compulsory standards that safeguard public health, protect consumer rights, and preserve the environment.

As such, the agency has vowed to continue cracking down on any producer or distributor who undermines consumer safety.

“This latest action demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring only safe, certified products are made available to the Zambian public,” Hatyoka said.

The suspension comes as Zambia prepares to commemorate World Food Safety Day on June 7, 2025, under the theme “Food Safety – Science in Action.”

Ahead of the day, ZCSA is calling on consumers to be extra vigilant—purchasing only from reputable sources—and to report any products that appear suspicious or may be unsafe.

“Food and water safety starts with vigilance at the point of purchase,” Hatyoka stressed.

“Consumers are key partners in this fight against substandard and dangerous products.”

He also warned that consuming unverified products could result in serious health consequences and urged the public to immediately report any non-compliant goods to the agency.

Meanwhile, ZCSA is leveraging its participation at the Copperbelt Agricultural Mining Industrial Networking Enterprise (CAMINEX) Show in Kitwe to raise public awareness about its critical role in consumer protection through standards enforcement.

This year’s show runs under the theme “Creating a Regional Hub for Possibilities: Through Partnerships, Production and People.”

ZCSA reaffirmed its firm stance against unsafe products and reiterated that consumer safety will always be a top priority.

“We will not rest until every product on Zambian shelves meets the highest safety standards and is safe to consume,” Hatyoka concluded.