DRC – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has banned the importation of eight brands of maize flour produced in Zambia, citing aflatoxin contamination concerns.
The brands affected include “Africa Milling,” “Roller Meal and Breakfast,” “Farm Feed Superdog Meal,” “Continental Milling,” “Shabco Milling,” “Girad Milling,” “Busu Milling,” and “Star Milling.”
This decision, announced on August 25 by the DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Trade, mandates several national institutions, including the Customs and Excise Directorate (DGDA), the Congolese Control Office (OCC), and the National Police, to enforce measures that protect public health from the potential dangers of the toxin.
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain fungi, which pose significant health risks, including the potential to aggravate malnutrition, delay child growth, weaken the immune system, and cause liver cancer even at low doses.
To mitigate these risks, the DRC has implemented strict measures, including the prohibition of importation, consumption, marketing, and distribution of the affected maize flour brands throughout its territory.
The authorities are also conducting tracing efforts to locate and remove any existing products from the market, with penalties in place for offenders.
This latest ban is another setback in the trade relationship between the DRC and Zambia, which has already been fraught with disputes over tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Earlier this month, the two countries were embroiled in a trade conflict when Zambia closed its border posts on August 10, following a DRC decision to ban the importation of soft drinks and beer.
However, the borders were reopened on August 13 after successful negotiations between the Congolese Minister of Foreign Trade and his Zambian counterpart from the Ministry of Industry.
The new restrictions on Zambian maize flour could further complicate the already delicate trade relations between the neighboring countries.
As the DRC enforces these new protective measures, there is concern over the broader implications for cross-border trade and food security in the region.
The DRC heavily relies on Zambian maize flour, with approximately 70% of the flour consumed in the southern provinces of Haut-Katanga, Lualaba, and Tanganyika being imported from Zambia, according to data from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC).
Therefore, experts predict that with maize flour being a staple in many households, the ban could lead to supply shortages and price increases, affecting vulnerable populations.
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