Council conduct water and food quality tests

Bulawayo City Council recently conducted a water and food quality tests in the city in which various outcomes were established.

Latest council minutes states that a total of 127 water samples were sent for bacteriological analysis. Results of 110 of 127 sampled points revealed that only one point was unsatisfactory.

The minutes states that eleven out of 17 dairy samples collected for analysis were unsatisfactory.

"The quality control managers were advised to improve the standard of food hygiene on their premises failing which continued bad results may lead to their products being barred from the local market," reads the minutes. "Only one out of 10 premises, namely 2 bakeries, 7 food factories and 1 mobile food cart
swabbed during the month, had a satisfactory result. The Section continued to conduct hygiene education sessions in food outlets and encourage food handlers to improve the standard of hygiene."

The minutes states that specimens were collected from 2 municipal and 15 private swimming pools for chemical and bacteriological analysis during the month. Results were pending.

"The Committee considered the matter and Councillor Sibanda noted the good work done by the Department regarding food and food premises inspections. Relevant by-laws needed to be enforced effectively. Councillor Thobani Ngwenya however observed that the number of unsatisfactory results were increasing. Food quality monitoring and premises swabbing should be stepped up," reads the minutes.