Suspension of Superior Food Market Divides Opinions

By: Lackson Kanyoza.

The suspension of Superior Halaal food market by the Malawi Bureau of standards (MBS) has brought very mixed reactions from most Malawians.

On Friday, MBS shut down Superior Halaal meat butchery, Superior food market, catering services and superior bakery.

MBS’ posts on its Facebook page said the three sections of the food market have failed to comply with hygienic conditions as stipulated in Malawi Standard number 21, which is the bureau’s code of hygienic conditions.

“The Malawi Bureau of Standards has with immediate effect suspended operation of Superior Halaal meat butchery, Superior food market, catering services and Superior food market bakery (bread and bans) situated at the Northgate arcade along the Masauko Chipembere highway in Blantyre due to non compliance to hygienic conditions as stipulated in Malawi standards number 21 (Food and food processing units code of hygienic conditions),” reads the post.

But, comments on the post have divided opinions while other people welcomed the development others questioned MBS criteria used to determine a place to be hygienic or unhygienic.

Mabvuto Kentone Mbale said “guys MBS are doing their work, keep it up MBS, “.

Tadala Mandala commented “please educate us on what criteria you use to determine a place is unhygienic. Ndithu zoona (Is it true) you want to tell us that Shoprite , Kips and some of these rubbish places are more hygienic than Superior? MBS maybe there is something where we do not understand. Educate us, otherwise awa nde akuoneka ngati (this looks like) ma personal vendetta, “she said.

On the other hand, a cross section of people said government stands to lose a lot of tax from the suspension.

Ton Zaw said “Why are you failing to give them advise before suspending their operations, yet they pay a lot of taxes to government some of it are your salaries? Why are you failing to confiscate kachasu, mandasi, water tied in plastics and many more circulating in local markets? Sometimes, you need to think before an action, “he said.

Recently, MBS also closed down Chibuku plant in Lilongwe after the company also failed to comply with conditions. The ban has been lifted so far.