Traditional brews to go formal
DODOMA: TANZANIA is taking steps to formalise traditional liquors like ‘lubisi,’ ‘ulanzi’ and ‘mbege’, to support small-scale producers of these beverages and ensure consumer safety.
Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Exaud Kigae told Members of Parliament yesterday that the government is collaborating with key institutions – the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) and Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation (TIRDO) to research traditional brews that meet set standards.
This research is crucial for their formalisation. “We are formalising traditional liquors so they meet quality standards,” Kigae explained, specifically mentioning “lubisi,” “ulanzi,” and banana-based brews.
He added: “This formalisation will ensure they have standards that will not harm consumers.” He was responding to a question from Jesca Msambatavangu, (Iringa UrbanCCM) who inquired about the government’s plans to control high-alcohol content beverages harming drinkers.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to quality control for all alcoholic beverages.
“The government is doing extensive work to ensure we control the quality of alcoholic beverages manufactured within the country and those imported from abroad,” he stated.
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He said the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) plays a central role in this effort, managing the quality and safety of alcoholic products through established systems.
These comprehensive control measures include developing and setting standards for alcoholic beverages, certifying the quality of both locally produced and imported alcoholic drinks and conducting thorough inspections and laboratory testing.
He explained that the measures also include implementing market surveillance to monitor product quality once released and providing training and education to stakeholders across the industry.
Mr Kigae further noted that the government regularly conducts assessments and monitors alcoholic beverage products to continuously identify and maintain their quality in the market.
