Earlier this November, Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) received a certificate of accreditation by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS). The MBS board chairperson, Action Amosi, noted that this certification brought good reputation towards Malawian products.
Sadcas accredits MBS as an internationally recognized certification bureau, therefore acknowledging its efforts to ensure quality production in Malawi. Earlier this year, MBS recalled the supply of Sobo Orange Squash, citing complaints from customers as well as reports of signs of fermentation; an incident that MBS demanded Castel Malawi to apologize for. Later, the incident was followed by MBS, banning of the juice’s production.
The ban was attributed to Tartrazine, an ingredient used in the production of Sobo Orange; therefore the ban was for the particular orange flavor, as Sobo pineapple squash was still available on the market.
MBS has demonstrated its strict hand, as it also once banned a popular fizzy drink called Frozy, citing harmfully abundant acid levels. After the ban, the manufacturer of Frozy, Yaafico Industries, complied with the bureau’s requirements, following a lift on the ban.
Considering ban on Alcohol sachets and other past and current closures of various businesses that were deemed unsafe for consumers, the certification by Sadcas is well deserved