Images of food products with corrected labelling.
Twelve businesses in the Western Cape have been issued with Compliance Notices by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) for non-compliant goods, while a further 23 are being investigated.
The enforcement efforts follow a recent surge in food-borne illnesses, which prompted the National Disaster Management Centre to classify it as a national disaster, following the deaths of several children linked to pesticides.
According to the Commission, these suppliers had mainly contravened section 24 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which concerns the failure to label goods.
A total 14 notices were issued, 12 of these suppliers are based in the Western Cape, and one each in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.
The NCC said it was also finalising investigations from inspections conducted in Limpopo, Gauteng, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
“With respect to the Western Cape, the NCC conducted market monitoring inspections in the City of Cape Town, where 40 suppliers were inspected. Of these inspected suppliers, 12 have been issued with Compliance Notices, and 23 are being further investigated. In these inspections, the NCC found inconsistencies with labelling requirements where suppliers did not properly label the goods or affix ingredients on the packaging.”
Issues included failure to label products, while other instances included failure to display the prices of goods on the shelves, among other contraventions.
“Failure to label goods in accordance with the CPA contravenes section 24 read with Regulation 6. Section 24 of the CPA provides that a trade description must be applied to the goods or any covering, label or in or on reel, or which goods are packaged or attached to the goods. Trade description must include the country of origin and any other prescribed information,” the Commission said.
NCC acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu said their investigation found consumers continued to be exposed to unsafe food.
“From the concluded investigations, the NCC found that consumers continue to be exposed to unsafe foodstuffs and most suppliers do not comply with the provisions of the CPA. The NCC continues to prioritise cases of expired and unsafe foodstuffs,” Ratshisusu said.
University of Stellenbosch Food Science lecturer, Dr Jeannine Marais said correct food labelling is essential for several reasons.
“It promotes nutritional awareness by providing information on the content of energy, protein, sugars, fats, and other nutrients, helping consumers manage their dietary intake, maintain healthy lifestyles, and address specific health conditions like obesity, hypertension, or heart disease. Ingredient transparency is another key aspect, as food labels disclose additives, preservatives, artificial colourants, and flavourings, allowing consumers to avoid substances they may wish to limit or avoid. Expiration dates, such as ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates, help consumers identify safe-to-consume products and minimise the risk of food-borne illnesses from expired items.”
She added that regulatory compliance also ensured that accurate labelling helped manufacturers adhere to food safety standards and regulations, to protect consumers.
Cape Times
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