The National Consumer Commission (NCC) in collaboration with other authorities conducted market monitoring inspections in the Free State and Kwazulu-Natal.
In the Free State, the NCC joined forces with the Free State Consumer Affairs Office, South African Police Service and Environmental Health Practitioners from various municipalities, Mayoral Offices of Vrede (with the Mayor of Vrede present) and Warden, Fire and Waste Management Departments, and the Departments of Labour and Home Affairs, for market monitoring inspections from 24 to 26 February 2025. These inspections covered Phuthaditjhaba, Harrismith, Warden and Vrede.
In Kwazulu-Natal, the NCC collaborated with the South African Police Service, Metro Police, Environmental Health Practitioners, and the Kwazulu-Natal Consumer Affairs Office, and these inspections commenced in the Amajuba District Municipality on 27 February 2025.
On the suppliers that were inspected, including chain stores, the NCC found various possible contraventions of the Consumer Protection Act, including the following:
- Production or manufacturing dates that are with future dates;
- Meat that was stored in refrigerators that are not working;
- Dented cans and leaking Pilchards cans;
- Various bags of snacks that had expired or were past date markings;
- Undisclosed ingredients in various bags of snacks;
- Various brands of “Energy Drinks” that had expired and dates that were tempered with;
- Sweets (wacky sticks) with incomplete ingredient lists; and
- Non-display of prices.
The NCC working with other regulators and authorities will continue to inspect suppliers of foodstuffs to ensure that consumers are not exposed to harmful foodstuffs. Consumers are urged to be vigilant of the foodstuffs they buy as unsafe foodstuffs are potentially harmful.
“The outcome of the recent inspections in certain areas in the Free State and Kwazulu-Natal are concerning, particularly as some suppliers continue to sell unsafe and expired foodstuffs to consumers. The National Consumer Commission, in collaboration with other regulators and authorities, continues to prioritize these matters and shall take appropriate steps against suppliers that continue to violate the Consumer Protection Act, and put the lives of consumers at risk”, said Acting Commissioner, Mr. Hardin Ratshisusu.
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Phetho Ntaba* (Ms)
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The National Consumer Commission
1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria, 0027
South African Bureau Of Standards, Block C
Mobile: 082 809 2031
Office: 012 065 2040
@TheNCC_RSA