Tabora honey ‘fit for human consumption’

The traditionally produced honey in Tabora region is safe for human consumption, the Minister for Industries, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles Mwijage, told the National Assembly yesterday.

He assured the general public and traders that the product meets quality standards, currently stipulated by Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). 

Responding to questions posed by Tabora Urban MP Emmanuel Mwakasaka (CCM) here yesterday, the minister said the government was working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Tanzania Trade Authority (TanTrade) to analyse market opportunities. 

Investment for a honey processing plant costs about 50 million US dollars (109bn/-), he said. “This can help Tanzania produce 5,000 tonnes a week and 260,000 a year,” Mr Mwaijage told parliamentarians. 

He was responding to a supplementary question from the MP which demanded the government assurance regarding claims that Tabora produced honey was not suitable for human consumption. 

The MP also had asked the government plan to build honey quality assurance laboratory in Tabora. 

“Why shouldn’t the government set up the lab in Tabora where there is massive volume of honey produced compared to other regions in the country?” In response, the minister said quality assessment of honey products follows the national scale number 851 of 2006. 

The scale details how the producer, tutor and vendor must consider in the entire value chain of honey business. He meanwhile assured the MP that the plans are underway to construct a large processing plant in Tabora which will among other things include construction of a lab in the region. 

Mr Kaijage said the government will continue working on improving the investment environment to allow more industries including honey processing in the country.