By Ndumbe Bell Joseph in Douala
A decision by ANOR to overturn the disqualification of some alcoholic beverages produced by Brasseries Du Cameroun (SABC), based on the results of analyses carried out by the Agro-Alimentary Technical Center (CTA-CAM) at the request of the National Association of Consumers (Reseau Nationale du Consommateur), has sparked controversy as to who is in charge of approving standards in Cameroon.
In their analyses carried out in September 2024, the CTA-CAM concluded by questioning the quality of the product for not being normative and therefore unfit for consumption. The agency claimed to have carried out a rigorous assessment in accordance with the standards relating to labelling and good hygiene practices, which makes it possible to establish the conformity of the label and the product unit.
In addition the agency precised that it carried out analyses based on the company’s internal requirements and those of its customers (e.g. the toxicological aspects) as recommended by practices for assessing conformity to international standards.
On the other hand, ANOR officially stated that “the physico-chemical and micro-biological analyses carried out by the Agro-alimentary Technical Center had no normative references, international accreditation nor the approval of ANOR.” For these reasons they would not allow any credibility to the results provided.
In a letter to the Minister of Commerce, LUC Magloire Mbarga Atangana, ANOR observed that the drinks were good for human consumption. In a certificate of conformity sent to SABC on September 16, 2024, ANOR stated that they carried out the diagnoses according to the criteria of five sample, audit and label inspection. All the tests were validated.
Looking at the two reports, on March 6, 2025, the Minister of Commerce, LUC Magloire Mbarga Atangana backed ANOR’S reports, confirming that SABC’s product was fit for consumption.