Bwana Mkubwa member of parliament Dr Jonas Chanda says 56 people have lost their jobs at Revin Zambia Limited after the Zambia Bureau of Standers (ZABS) halted the production and distribution of the ‘Natural Power SX’ energy drink.

And Ndola Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya says the local authority will send officers to Lusaka to find out why results of the Natural Power SX Energy Drink have taken long.

In a statement, Dr Chanda also expressed disappointment with the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), ZABS and the Ndola City Council (NCC) for only instituting investigations against the Revin Zambia Limited after getting a complaint from a Ugandan national who ‘suffered’ a six-hour erection after consuming the drink.

“Two days ago over 56 workers at Revin Zambia Limited in Ndola, the company that produces the ‘Natural Power SX Energy drink’ were sent on circumstantial leave following the suspension of the production and distribution of the product by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), Ndola City Council and Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS). ZAMRA, NCC and ZABS halted the production and distribution of the ‘Natural Power SX Energy drink’ following a complaint from a Ugandan national who reportedly suffered a six-hour erection after consuming the commodity, and the reported ban of the product by the Ugandan National Drug Authority and Uganda Bureau of Standards who ‘alleged’ that the drink contains sildenafil citrate ‘erectile dysfunction’ in men and pulmonary hypertension,” Dr Chanda narrated.

“Consequently, ZAMRA, NCC and ZABS announced that they had instituted local investigations on the ‘Natural Power SX Energy drink’ and collected samples of the raw materials from the manufacturer Revin Zambia Limited in Ndola, and of the finished product for analytical tests to determine if there is any truth to the claims being made. ZAMRA, NCC and ZABS further advised the public to immediately desist from consuming the drink until concussive results are released that either confirm or dismiss the allegations, and the manufacturers of the Product, Revin Zambia Limited based in Ndola, were ordered to halt the production and distribution of the energy drink until all investigations have been concluded and appropriate action taken.”

Dr. Chanda said some local media houses have already reported that laboratory results have shown that the energy drink was safe for human consumption and wondered why ZABS and ZAMRA were delaying to release the results to the public.

“Before they can even release results of their investigations, local media have already reported that test results of the various laboratory tests carried out on the ‘Natural Power SX Energy Drink’ have confirmed that the product is safe for human consumption. They claim this is according to test results obtained from the Zambia Bureau of Standards, the Malawi Bureau of Standards and the South African National Accreditation System,” Dr. Chanda added.

“I, therefore, urge ZAMRA, ZABS and NCC to quickly release the results of the investigation and officially communicate these to the public and the workers at the company because the longer the they are taking to release the results, the more the over 56 workers and their families who have been sent on leave because of a lack of activity at the plant, will continue suffering.”

He also expressed disappointment with ZABS and ZAMRA for only instituting investigations against the Revin Zambia Limited only after getting a complaint from a Ugandan national.

“I also wish to express my disappointment that it had to take a reported incident in Uganda and action by the Uganda National Drug Authority and Uganda Bureau of Standards in order for ZABS, ZAMRA to act. Where were ZABS and ZAMRA all this time that the ‘Natural Power SX Energy drink’ has been on the market and was actually certified by them as being safe for public consumption?” wondered Dr. Chanda.

And in an interview, Bwalya said he will send his officers to Lusaka to inquire of the investigations because families were suffering.

“As a local authority, we had to do what we did because we followed the law. However, it is of concern that the investigations for the results have taken long. We will send our officers to Lusaka so that we know where we are standing,” said Bwalya.

“We understand that over 56 people have being sent home and this is not good. Those are families that need to provide for their children. You know, it’s January, and a lot of them need to pay school fees and other services. We hope that things will be done soon so that we keep jobs.”