Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
THE Harare City Council says it will send a team to investigate a restaurant in the CBD amid revelations that food, which one of the workers claimed was meant for pets, ended up being served to customers.
H-Metro arrived at the restaurant last week, after being tipped off by a worker from the restaurant.
This newspaper saw meat being processed in conditions, which cannot be expected to pass the tests of health inspectors, when it comes to hygiene requirements.
Videos taken by H-Metro showed one of the workers washing what he claimed was “pet food” before putting the meat into a pot that was later taken to the restaurant for cooking.
“Some of the products brought into the kitchen are clearly marked pet food,” said a worker, who declined to be named.
City of Harare director of Health Services, Dr Prosper Chonzi Council, said they were going to dispatch inspectors to the restaurant to carry out investigations.
“All food outlets in the city are subject to routine inspections,” he said.
“If there is any violation of health regulations, appropriate enforcement measures will be taken.”
A public health expert said selling pet food for human consumption would constitute a serious breach of food safety regulations.
“Food labelled for animal consumption is not processed or regulated under the same standards as food for humans,” he said.
“If such products are being served to people, that would be a grave violation of public health laws.”
The owner of the joint dismissed the allegations and reacted angrily to questions from this reporter.
“Who told you that? That is nonsense,” he said.
“If you publish that, I will deal with you.
“I can beat you up. I am untouchable.
“You are making a big mistake. Nothing will happen to me.”
