Amid Malawi’s ongoing food shortage, Zodiak has uncovered that approximately 132 tonnes of maize flour belonging to ADMARC have gone rotten in warehouses located in Liwonde and Blantyre.

According to inside sources, the flour spoiled due to poor storage management. Once its condition was discovered, ADMARC management reportedly dispatched the flour to depots, where it was sold exclusively to staff members at discounted prices.

Zodiak understands that employees were instructed not to sell the flour to the public, as it was considered a staff privilege. However, sources revealed that the flour was infested with worms and mould. Zodiak has seen some of the affected bags.

“After authorities discovered the maize flour had gone bad, they sent it to depots for sale to junior officers at half price. I bought two bags, but when I opened them, there were worms inside. Even the nsima we prepared tasted bitter. We had to throw it away,” said one source.

Another staff member admitted buying the flour out of desperation: “I needed food for my family, so I didn’t think about the health risks. But it was wrong to give us rotten food.”

Health expert Donald Kanjere warned that consuming spoiled maize flour poses serious health risks.

“Rotten maize contains harmful microorganisms that can cause gastric problems and diarrhoea. Distributing such food was wrong and inhumane,” he said.

Civil society voices have strongly condemned the development. Sylvester Namiwa, Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (CDEDI), described the act as “an insult” to junior officers.

“Holding a lower rank does not entitle anyone to receive spoiled goods. Those responsible should face punishment beyond dismissal,” Namiwa said.

Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito criticized ADMARC for venturing into maize flour production without expertise, noting that many Malawians were unaware ADMARC even produced flour. Social commentator Lucky Mbewe echoed the sentiment, urging government accountability.

When contacted, ADMARC spokesperson Theresa Chapulapula said she was unaware of the matter and promised to follow up. However, repeated calls to her went unanswered at the time of publication.

Meanwhile, the government has purchased 200,000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia, expected to begin arriving in Malawi in early January to stabilize national stocks.