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Statement on the Quality of Sugar on the Market

  3rd August , 2018 ,       Hits: 2867

Kampala, 3rd August 2018. Our attention is drawn to the article that appeared on the front page of the New Vision of today under the headline: “Banned Kenya Sugar Sneaked into Uganda”.

Our investigations have since established that the sugar reported belongs to Kakira Sugar, a local manufacturer certified by UNBS, contrary to the media reports that it had illegally been imported into the country.  

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has instituted consumer protection measures to ensure that contaminated such sugar is not imported into the country.

UNBS has since June 2018 cleared 437 consignments of imported sugar after samples tested were found to comply with the required national standards.

In addition, the UNBS market surveillance team randomly picked over 120 samples from Kampala, and border towns of Mbale, Busia, Malaba, Tororo, which were taken to UNBS laboratories for further testing and analysis.

From the laboratory analyses, it was established that all the samples tested did not contain heavy metals such as copper, lead, mercury that may have adverse effects on human health.    

UNBS would like to reassure the public that, based on the tests done so far, the current sugar on the market is safe for human consumption.

We would like to urge the public to always look out for UNBS Distinctive Mark for assurance that locally manufactured products meet the required standards and report any cases of substandard products on the market on our toll free line: 0800 133 133.

UNBS will continue to perform its mandate of enforcing standards to protect consumer health and safety and the environment against dangerous and sub-standard products.

About UNBS

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a statutory body responsible for developing and promoting standards and quality of products and services to facilitate fair trade, promote local industries and protect consumers.

 

For more information, please contact:

Godwin Bonge Muhwezi

Head Public Relations

Uganda National Bureau of Standards

Plot 2 - 12, By Pass Link, Bweyogerere Industrial Park,

P.O Box 6329 Kampala, Uganda

Tel: 0700 930 996

e-mail: godwin.muhwezi@unbs.go.ug

Website: www.unbs.go.ug