Luanshya Council Seizes 10 Tonnes Fruit and Vegetables
ZANIS—The Luanshya Municipal Council has confiscated over 10 tonnes of fruits and vegetables from vendors operating in undesignated trading areas as part of efforts to prevent cholera.
According to ZANIS, the seized food items were condemned by the Luanshya Municipal Council Public Health Department and sent to the dump site for destruction.
Acting Director of Public Health, Justine Siamfumba, stated that the confiscation was conducted by the Council Police during intensified enforcement operations across the district. Public health specialists examined the food items and declared them unfit for human consumption.
“The food items were being sold directly on the ground, in unauthorized locations, posing a serious health risk,” Mr. Siamfumba explained.
Luanshya Council Public Relations Officer, Gideon Thole, urged vendors to comply with regulations to ensure public safety or risk facing legal consequences. He noted that with cholera cases reported in neighboring districts, the local authority is taking proactive measures to prevent an outbreak in Luanshya.
“The law is clear: food meant for public consumption must be stored and sold in a sanitary environment. The Local Government Street Vending Nuisances Regulations of 2018 prohibit the sale of food in conditions that could lead to contamination,” Mr. Thole emphasized.
He also called on residents and business owners to adhere to hygiene standards and avoid illegal vending, particularly during the rainy season when contaminated water and mud increase the risk of disease transmission.
To prevent scavenging, the seized food items were destroyed by smashing before disposal. The Council’s actions align with the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019 and the Public Health Act No. 295, which empower local authorities to seize and destroy unsafe food items.
