The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has seized goods worth K 3,719 in Western Province following five separate inspections conducted in over 54 trading places this month.

CCPC public relations officer, Namukolo Kasumpa, said in a statement that the seized items had defects and did not meet the minimum requirement for retail, while some 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 CCPC in collaboration with five local authorities in Western Province has seized assorted goods collectively worth K3,719.00 following five separate inspections conducted in over 54 trading places in April, 2018. Some of the defects on some of the products included; expired products; having no expiry dates; broken seals and insufficient labelling. 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; carbonated drinks, biscuits, cosmetics, baking powder and assorted snacks,” Kasumpa stated.

She said the seizure took place during a sensitization and advocacy tour of Western Province where consumers were sensitised on their rights and obligations.

“The seizure of the goods was conducted during a sensitization and advocacy tour of Western Province aimed at sensitizing the consumers on their rights and obligations, as well as inspecting trading premises in selected districts in the province with the view of ascertaining the trader’s compliance levels with the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No 24 of 2010. The local authorities involved in the exercise were Mongu, Kaoma, Sioma, Nkeyema and Nalolo districts, councils,” stated Kasumpa.

“CCPC Western Provincial Investigator, Bravo Muchuu, explained that expired food items contributed over 80 per cent of the products seized; a situation which was very worrying as the product hinges directly on the lives of the consumers. Mr Muchuu expressed worry at the continued supply of expired and unsafe food products to consumers on the market and urged traders to ensure that they stocked products with a longer shelf-life in order not to endanger the health of consumers as well as avoid being prosecuted through the Courts of Law.”