The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has seized goods worth K11,800 in North Western Province for not being up to standard.

In a statement today, CCPC public relations officer Namukolo Kasumpa stated that random inspections had been carried out in 81 trading places in eight districts.

“CCPC in collaboration with eight Local Authorities in Northwestern Province has concluded a nine days joint inspection operation. The random inspections were conducted in 81 trading places in eight districts and goods collectively worth K11,853.00 were seized. The seized items did not meet the minimum required standard for them to be sold to consumers and the defects on some of the products included, expired products, no expiry dates on some products, broken seals and insufficient labeling. Further, some products were poorly 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. The products seized included beverages, baby formula, butter biscuits and cosmetics to mention but a few,” Kasumpa stated.

“The seizure of the assorted goods was conducted during a sensitization and advocacy tour which included random inspections of trading places in the districts with the view of ascertaining the traders’ compliance levels of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No 24 of 2010, specifically with regards to product labelling, display of disclaimers and product safety.”

Kasumpa also stated that North Western Province Investigator James Chalungumana said the random inspection of trading places was an eye opener for most traders.

Chalungumana also noted that the traders in all inspected districts consistently complained that suppliers and distributors supplied them with unsuitable products which had exceeded or were close to reaching their shelf life.

He further stated that the Commission was concerned that unscrupulous traders were taking advantage of rural communities and that CCPC would intensify its inspections to curb this vice.

Chalungumana advised traders to abide by the law and desist from engaging in unfair trading practices or any conduct that puts the consumer at risk.

The Local Authorities involved in the operation were Solwezi, Chavuma, Kabompo, Manyinga, Mfumbwe, Kasempa, Mwininlunga and Ikelengi district councils.

The sensitization and advocacy tour was conducted from the 11th to the 19th of September 2017.