Lusaka, October 28, 2025 –
The Zambia Police Service wishes to confirm a case of Sale of Noxious Food reported through Mandevu Police Post on October 27, 2025 at 14:30 hours. The incident was reported by Sarah Phiri aged 49 of Mazyopa Compound, Lusaka, who informed police that several children from her neighborhood had fallen ill after consuming suspected contaminated food.Preliminary investigations indicate that on the same date around 13:30 hours, Esther Daka aged 34 of the same area, who is known to buy leftover food from restaurants at East Park Mall purportedly for dogs, instead distributed some of the food to her own and her neighbors’ children and sold the remainder. Shortly after consuming the food, the affected children began complaining of stomach pains, vomiting, and some became unconscious. The affected children are Seventeen comprised of 11 boys and six girls aged between two and Seventeen.The reporter, upon observing several children lying on the ground and vomiting, quickly raised alarm and, with the help of neighbors, rushed the victims to Chipata Level One Hospital for medical attention. Hospital authorities subsequently alerted police, who visited the scene and the hospital to assess the situation.The condition of all the affected children is reported to be stable, and they remain under medical observation. The suspected food substances have since been confiscated and will be submitted to the Food and Drug Laboratory at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for analysis.The suspect is currently in police custody and will appear in court soon.The Zambia Police Service wishes to warn members of the public against the purchase or consumption of leftover or improperly stored foods from unauthorized sources, as such actions pose a serious risk to public health.
Issued by:Rae Hamoonga
POLICE PU@BLIC RELATIONS OFFICER