The National Consumer Commission in South Africa has taken a firm stance against non-compliant suppliers by issuing compliance notices to 45 shops across the country. These actions come after a series of rigorous nationwide inspections aimed at upholding consumer rights and ensuring adherence to the Consumer Protection Act.
Acting consumer commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu, expressed concern over the blatant disregard for consumer safety and quality standards during these inspections. He highlighted troubling findings such as the sale of expired and spoiled food items including dairy products, meat, maize meal, eggs, snacks, biscuits, and noodles.
“It is unacceptable that some suppliers are jeopardizing public health by selling unfit goods,”
Ratshisusu emphasized.
One of the key violations discovered was the absence of expiry or best-before dates on products—an infringement of section 55(2) of the Consumer Protection Act. These date markings serve as crucial indicators for consumers to assess product freshness and safety before making purchases. By omitting this vital information, suppliers are not only failing to meet legal requirements but also putting consumers at risk.
Moreover, some shops were found selling products without proper labeling or trade descriptions—a direct violation of section 24 read with regulation 6 of the CPA. Ratshisusu pointed out that accurate labeling is essential for transparency and consumer awareness.
“Consumers have the right to know what they are buying without being misled by inadequate information,”
he stated.
In rural and peri-urban areas, another concerning practice observed was the failure to display prices on various goods such as noodles, sugar, soup, and canned foods—a breach of section 23(3) which mandates transparent pricing for consumer benefit and choice. Additionally, there was a widespread lack of compliance with issuing complete sales records or receipts as required under section 26(2-3) of the CPA.
The NCC has sternly warned shop owners to rectify these violations by promptly removing non-compliant goods from their shelves, ensuring proper labeling on all products including food items, displaying prices conspicuously for transparency in pricing strategies. Compliance with issuing accurate sales records containing essential transaction details is also mandatory.
Failure to comply with these directives could lead to severe consequences for businesses involved. The NCC retains the authority to refer non-compliant entities to the National Consumer Tribunal where hefty fines amounting up to R1 million or 10% of annual turnover may be imposed—a deterrent aimed at safeguarding consumer interests.
Ratshisusu reiterated that food safety remains a top priority in these enforcement measures aimed at curbing unsafe product distribution. Collaborative efforts with regulatory bodies will persist to uphold compliance with consumer protection laws and related statutes.
The list of shops receiving compliance notices includes various establishments like Pasella Super Food known for selling expired goods without proper labels; Boxer Sibasa flagged for retailing damaged merchandise; Pintos Trading engaging in multiple violations from expired goods to inadequate labeling; among others showcasing diverse breaches ranging from improper pricing practices to lack of ingredient disclosures.
These actions underscore a concerted effort towards fostering accountability within the retail sector while prioritizing consumer welfare above all else. As investigations continue into these infractions on consumer rights and safety standards – it serves as a reminder that regulatory bodies remain vigilant in safeguarding public interests from unscrupulous business practices.
