By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Bornwell Dirwai a street vendor in Harare’s central business district (CBD) has been arrested by Municipal police for selling fake and expired groceries.
The repackaged products included milk packaged in South African-branded containers, margarine in Buttercup margarine containers, and Zimgold branded packages.
These counterfeit and expired products are not good for consumption and use as they pose a serious threat to public health causing foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions and long-term health complications.
According to a City of Harare (CoH) social media update, Bornwell Dirwai was trading at the intersection of Rezende and Robert Mugabe streets
The City of Harare alsow arned consumers to exercise extreme caution while shopping and advised buying groceries from reputable outlets.
“Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution when purchasing goods They should only buy from reputable shops to avoid health complications caused by fake products that have flooded the market” said City of Harare in the statement.
The selling of repackaged and expired groceries largely imported from South Africa has become a trend that is largely associated with Mbare, the hub of SMEs but has worryingly spread like veld fire across the country posing a huge health risk to consumers who are always looking out for cheaper goods amid the prevailing economic pinch.