THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has closed an illegal wine factory at Evelyn Hone College following a complaint from the institution’s administration after it noticed a fermentation smell coming from the school canteen.

And the Council has warned all persons involved in illegal brewing and distribution of uncertified wines to stop operations before they are visited by the local authority.

According to a statement issued by LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba, Thursday, workers at the said wine factory at Evelyn Hone College manually packaged the wine into bottles without any protective equipment.

He disclosed that the factory was making wines with labels: Zikomo, Chibe Pakapaka, Natotela, Zambezi, Sansamukeni and Banana Wine.

“Lusaka City Council has closed an illegal wine factory at Evelyn Hone College. This follows a complaint from the institution administration after it noticed a fermentation smell coming from the school canteen. Acting on the tip, a team of LCC public health inspectors moved to the scene and found a wine factory running and all processes involved in the making and packaging of the product was being done in one place,” Sichimba narrated.

“Workers at the factory manually packaged the wine into bottles without any protective equipment and no measures were in place to allow for safe food handling. The factory was making wines labeled Zikomo, Chibe Pakapaka, Natotela, Zambezi, Sansamukeni and Banana Wine.”

Sichimba stated that at the time of inspection, the owner of the factory was unable to produce any permits that allowed them to manufacture and distribute the wine, which was contrary to Liquor Licensing Act No 20 of 2011, Public Health Act Cap 295 and Food, Drug Safety Act No. 7 of 2019 of the laws of Zambia.

He added that the LCC had since seized all goods that were in the factory until investigations were concluded.

“LCC has since seized on the premise all goods that were in the factory until investigations are concluded. Thus, members of the public should be on the lookout for these products that look as innocent soft drinks, but have unknown alcohol/chemical contents in them. The local authority is, therefore, advising all institutions to take keen interest in reporting all suspicious business activities/premises to the relevant authorities,” stated Sichimba, who also warned all persons involved in illegal brewing and distribution of uncertified wines to stop operations before they were visited by the local authority.