UPDATE: MEDIA STATEMENT FROM G&G BAKERY IN RESPONSE TO KITWE CITY COUNCIL’S ALLEGATIONS
Kitwe – 21st November 2024
G&G BAKERY would like to address the recent statement issued by the Kitwe City Council regarding health and safety concerns at one of our facilities. While we respect the council’s role in safeguarding public health, we find it necessary to provide clarity on the issues raised, especially as they relate to the recent media circulation of photos that were taken during an initial site inspection and not during any follow-up inspection.
The images currently circulating on social media are misleadingly presented as evidence of our ongoing non-compliance. In truth, these photos were taken during the first site visit on 8th October 2024, when the officers conducted their inspection. At the time, our bakery was still in the process of addressing certain procedural and regulatory matters, as is common during initial inspections. We acknowledge that the bakery has worked diligently to improve in response to feedback received from the council and have since fully complied with all health and safety regulations, including providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our staff and implementing necessary hygiene practices.
We would also like to emphasise that, as a bakery that has been operating for many years, we have consistently maintained the quality of our products and have had no history of health scares. Our commitment to food safety and hygiene is a priority, and we take great pride in delivering high-quality baked goods to our customers.
It is deeply unfortunate that, before re-engaging with us, the Kitwe City Council has chosen to publicly defame our business on social media. We strongly believe in constructive dialogue and would have appreciated an opportunity to address any concerns raised. The management at G&G Bakery did not obstruct the council’s inspection team, but we did request that some officers who were not in proper attire for inspecting a production facility be prevented from entering sensitive production areas. This was done to ensure that all protocols were followed for the safety of both the inspectors and our employees.
It is concerning that the council arrived with a media battalion already prepared to make public statements about our business without giving us a fair chance to address the situation directly or conduct another site visit to verify our compliance. We are fully committed to working with the council to resolve any concerns and ensure that all necessary measures are in place to meet health and safety standards.
In conclusion, G&G Bakery remains dedicated to operating within the legal framework and prioritising both employee and customer safety. We are confident that with open communication and further engagement with the relevant authorities, we can resolve any issues and continue to provide safe, quality products to the Kitwe community and beyond.
For media inquiries, please contact us directly at [email/phone].
Thank you.
Issued by
G&G BAKERY MANAGEMENT TEAM
Contact Information
Email: gbake@zamnet.zm
Just admit that you have been wanting. The Council should charge the bakery.
Sorry but you want to talk your way out of the problem.
The law is that the council is agency that is responisible for ensuring that food, health and safety of what is sold to us is properly regulated. The problem we want to take the habits from countries that have failed systems and a regime where people were paid to not unhold the law. Wrong is wrong. The lives and health of the public needs to be upheld by the council. That is why health inspectors are there. That is why you get a licence from the council to certify that food is produced in a healthy manner. The council is not a rubber stamp its there to ensure the law is upheld.
So, 6 weeks ago that was the state of the bakery? If you worked on that sorry state, why have you not posted pictures to show the improvements that you have effected since the Council inspection? Surely, did you need the Council to come and find your production in that state for you to be reminded about hygiene and standard operations requirements such as PPE? As an established food processing facility we expect better of you and are really disappointed that you can be caught in that state, which is your real operational state – and not a state where you have been forewarned of an impending inspection. It is wrong to blame the Council on your failures, and if those pictures had not been circulated, we would not have known the extent of your recklessness.
I used to be a fan of G&G round bread for many years until one day I found a whole coakroach baked together in the middle of the bread. Since that day I stopped buying G&G bread and switched to Agogo. From that experience alone I’m sure the KCC health inspectors are on point.