Mansa Municipal Council has confiscated expired foodstuffs amounting to K8867.55 from shoprite, Amico and Zambeef outlets during a routine inspection.
A combined team of Public Health Inspectors from the Local Authority and the Ministry of Health swung into action and confiscated foodstuffs that were found to be expired, dented, rotten and some without clear labels from the three outlets.
The seizure of expired foodstuffs was in a quest to enforce the Public Health Act Cap 295 and Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia.
Items seized include 36 hubbly bubbly cases and 35 apple max cases from Amico, 30*500mls wildberry yoghurt, Chama rice and eggs from Zambeef, potatoes, 5*5l Fruitree juice, lactogen infant formula powder from Shoprite among others.
The Local Authority wishes to caution the business community dealing in various products including food stuffs to ensure that they are complying with the law by stocking unexpired products. The council further warns that those who will be found wanting risk being prosecuted because selling of expired food stuffs and products is in violation of the law.
The local authority also urges the general public to regularly check on the expiry date of food items before purchasing from any outlet and that the same is consumed within the shelf life in line with the provisions of the Food and Drug Act CAP 303 of the laws of Zambia.
If a rural council can do it why should a city like Lusaka fail. Reason? Too much corruption in urban councils.
All foreign businesses including the Chinese have license to dump expired food, untested medicine, low quality products…on to our country.
They simply bribe officials to look the other way. They are not scared of the law. They know Lungu has their back, as long as they make sure that thick brown envelope gets to him every month.
Zambia is under attack on too many fronts. Those elected to protect us are sold us out, like it was during slavery days.
I sent my nephew 2 buy delight poredge @ amico whosale for my daughter & he was given the expired poredge.My wife discovered it when she was about to make.She gave the case to the guy & took it bak & he was refunded.I also bot expired blue band @ amico super mkt & i discovered it in the mng.I took it back & exchanged it with a valid 1 the & i warned the gentleman(indian) i found & he appologised.
Amano Yafumine mwi fwesa. The smaller councils are now teaching the City councils how it is done . Please lets learn from them.
Don’t only concentrate on big shops. Why don’t you also go to markets and vendors selling in small tuntembas. You will find plenty there.
The market traders just hoist PF flag and that is a sign to leave them alone to sell whatever rubbish they have to unsuspecting citizens.
Does it end there? This is an opportunity for the law enforcement to make money for the state to ensure that the Govt receives a contribution towars the national fund (treasury).
Those are hungry Mansa Council Officials. They will take most of the expired commodities to their homes for free and eat them! Another way of survival.
Check these south African shops regularly. They are dumping expired food in Zambia
They should also ensure expiry dates are printed in indelible ink not the one they use which is easily erased by water or methl. spirit. This challenge is huge for a smaller council like Mansa to grapple with
The consumers are required to be vigilant. Don’t foodstuffs without checking the expiry date. I’ve made a rule even in my home and evrybody has appreciated the commandment. I’m able to tell if original due date was rubbed because traders have that tendency. Please I implore everybody to follow my commandment.
Prosecute or fine them like what Lusaka City Council did to Pizza Hut.
The routine checks should be done in other outlets as well.