MPs: Junk goods flooding local markets
 
2006-03-15 13:31:10
By Judica Tarimo

	TBS Director General Daimon Mwakyembe (C) explains to members of the Parliamentary Trade and Investment Committee on how the quality of condoms is determined when the team visited TBS headquarters in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Tryphone Mweji)

Members of Parliament have expressed disappointment with high influx of substandard and low quality foodstuffs in the country.

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Investment (PIC) and Trade challenged Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to go out of its way to control it.

”TBS must solve this problem. Standards must be adhered to,” said William Shelukindo, the committee’s chairman.

Shelukindo, who is Bumbuli MP, was speaking during the committee’s familiarisation tour of TBS to understand its operations and functions.

Shelukindo was commenting on some MPs’ concerns that food imports were substandard to the extent of exposing Tanzanian consumers to extreme danger.

He cited food-related health hazards such as cancer, high blood pressure, cardiac dysfunction, diabetes, etc.

’These items must be checked over and over. They have to abide by the standards set by TBS,’ Shelukindo said.

The MPs’ concerns were prompted by recent public outcry over uncontrolled stocking of substandard food in supermarkets and hotels.

Sources said that some of the foodstuffs are harmful to human life.

The legislators said that substandard electronic equipment, construction materials, second-hand vehicles and clothes have also flooded the market.

’Sometimes back, a ban was imposed on imported underpants, but the products are still circulating in the market,’ said a committee member.

Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, Kyela MP, said that some filling stations do not observe standards as they mix kerosene with petrol or diesel to maximise profits.

TBS director, Daimon Mwakyembe said: ’We have no problem with food, fuel products, vehicles and other products imported through proper channels. We are now are making efforts to plug the loopholes importers use to flood the country with substandard goods.’

He said the body is planning to step up efforts to enforce goods’ safety and quality standards.

”We have started issuing standard licences to food traders to get rid of substandard and low quality goods in the market,” he said.

• SOURCE: Guardian