Maziko Matemba, was reacting to the debate that has ensued in the country about the alcoholic content in the healthy drink Kombucha, with some arguing its more than the 0.005 percent indicated on the label.

One of the manufacturers, Nutricom Food and Beverages Ltd clarified that on its part, in the seven years it has been producing the drink, it has always strictly complied with the law.

“We wish to make it clear and assure Malawians that we are a law-abiding company and our operations are guided by strict compliance with the laws that govern production and manufacturing processes in this country,” reads a statement

The company has stressed that the varying alcohol contents is as a result of fermentation which it has no direct control of, insisting that at production, the content is 0.005 as indicated on the label.

But Matemba says in this case, manufacturers, with advice from the Bureau of standards must clearly indicate on the label that the percentage of 0.005 percent is at production.

“It’s very important for both manufacturers to inform the consumers so that the latter is well informed and the regulator also has a lot of work to be done to make sure that they are able to monitor and regulate and give a true picture of these kinds of products,” said Matemba.

The bureau says it is already closely monitoring and testing these products.