The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in Eastern Province has confiscated assorted goods worth over K9,000 for failure to meet the obligations outlined in the Competition and Consumer Act.

CCPC Public Relations Officer Namukolo Kasumpa said in a statement today that the goods were confiscated during an inspection operation conducted in over 30 shops in Lundazi, Chadiza and Petauke districts.

“The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in collaboration with three Local Authorities in Eastern Province has seized assorted goods worth over K9, 000 during a joint inspection operation conducted in over 30 shops in Lundazi, Chadiza, Petauke districts. The seized items did not meet the minimum required standard for them to be sold to consumers; some products were expired and others had no expiry dates while others had broken seals and insufficient labeling,” Kasumpa stated.

“Further, some products were defectively packaged which contravened consumer protection provisions as outlined in the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia Act as well as the Competition and Consumer Protection Act No. 24 of 2010. Amongst the products seized included Vienna sausages, meat products, agro-chemicals and paints.”

Kasumpa stated that the seizure of the goods which was conducted by the CCPC Executive Director Chilufya Sampa during the tour of the province was also aimed at sensitizing the consumers on their rights when purchasing goods.

“The main objective of this exercise was to inspect trading premises in selected Districts in Eastern Province with the view of ascertaining the trader compliance levels with the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No 24 of 2010 specifically with regards to product labeling, display of disclaimers, price display and product safety,” Sampa said.

Sampa also warned Lusaka distributors to avoid transporting goods whose expiration dates were close to rural areas.