Malawi Bureau of Standards lifts ban on Frozy

The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has lifted a ban on the importation, distribution and sale of Frozy drink in the country.

In a statement, MBS said the decision follows independent tests the Bureau conducted on the samples of the drink from its manufacturers in Mozambique.

MBS placed a ban on the drink in November 2016 on grounds that the product was not properly labelled, and that it had high levels of Citric Acids and Benzoates.

But the statement says that independent tests conducted by the Bureau show that Frozy is now complying with specifications of carbonated soft drinks.

It, however, says that the manufacturers have still not complied with specifications for labelling of the pre-packed foods.

The statement says the drink does not indicate its suitable storage conditions and some markings are in a language most Malawian consumers do not understand.

MBS has given the manufacturers the green light to sale the product in Malawi, saying the labelling is less risky than the high levels of Citric Acids and Benzoates.

“Considering that labelling shortfalls are of less risk to the consumer, MBS hereby advises the public that the ban, which was imposed on the sale and use of the product in Malawi, is lifted pending the manufacturer’s complete redressal of the labeling shortfalls by February 20 2017,” reads the statement.

MBS says it will continue carrying out quality monitoring processes on the product. The processes include border inspections, sample analyses and market surveillance to ensure its compliance with the Malawi Bureau of Standards.