The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged consumers to be vigilant when purchasing goods, particularly food items, following recent inspections in the Western Cape.

Focussing on the Cape Town metropole, the NCC visited 38 suppliers of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods in the city centre, Ottery, Mitchell’s Plain, Durbanville/Kraaifontein and Milnerton. The Commission partnered with the Western Cape Health Department, Environmental Health Practitioners from the City of Cape Town, and the National Compulsory Regulatory Specifications for the week-long operation – between 2 and 8 September.

The goal of the inspection was to ensure the suppliers’ compliance with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

The Commission says it found a number of violations of the CPA. These instances of non-compliance include the failure to display prices, suppliers not issuing sales records or invoices (or issuing non-compliant ones) and suppliers refusal to provide refunds or returns on goods.

It also uncovered that there was an absence of trade descriptions on certain products (“on bullfrogs and worms’ meat”) and that expired products were being sold.

As such, NCC Acting Commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu, reminds consumers to always keep an eye out on expiry dates and ensure that products meet quality standards.

“We call upon consumers to be aware of the potential impact of consuming foods where manufacturers’ guarantee of optimal quality is no longer in place. These foods have the potential to cause harm to the health of vulnerable consumers.”

Ratshisusu further noted that the Consumer Protection Act safeguards the rights of consumers, and that joint inspections are ongoing.

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