Counterfeit Packaging merchants on the prowl

04 Oct, 2024 - 00:10 0 Views
Counterfeit Packaging merchants on the prowl Imitations of different packaging material are being used by unscrupulous street merchants to disguise different products, mainly foodstuffs, as merchandises from genuine and reputable companies

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

IMITATIONS of different packaging material are being used by unscrupulous street merchants to disguise different products, mainly foodstuffs, as merchandises from genuine and reputable companies.

The trend is now common in different areas of Manicaland and elsewhere across the country.

A check by The Manica Post this week revealed that various reputable brands of rice packaging companies, including Mutare’s Mega Market Company, are being used by street merchants who get their products from unknown sources, including illegal imports.

In order to make an instant appeal to unsuspecting consumers, the merchants, some of whom are gaining ground on the market to the extent of supplying different products to downtown grocery shops, then use reputable companies packaging material.

The Manica Post can also reveal that the phony packaging material are mainly being used in the repacking of rice, kapenta fish, beans and salt.

When contacted for comment, Zimbabwe Consumer Protection Commission chairperson, Dr Mthokozisi Nkosi said the repackaging materials being used are, not only a danger to the health of consumers, but also usually short-change the public by packaging inferior quantities of the product compared to the marked weight.

“It is a serious health hazard to consumers. The conditions under which such re-packaging takes place are generally unhygienic. There is also the risk of under-weight. This is in addition to the counterfeit offence,” he said.

Dr Nkosi said Government, through the Commission, and other arms of the State have periodically carried out raids on the perpetrators.

“The Commission in collaboration with other arms of Government such as the Department of Trade Measures under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, ZIMRA and the police have periodically carried out sporadic raids where we have received tip-offs from members of the public,” he said.

Dr Nkosi said companies whose brands are being affected should join hands with the Commission to bring the culprits to book, while ensuring that their products are not imitated and continue to maintain high quality standards.

“In other instances, our inspectors move around in places considered hot-spots for such activities. Arrests have been made, and a number of culprits have been prosecuted.

“We are pleading with companies whose brands are being affected to join hands with the Commission in ensuring that their products maintain a high quality standard which makes it difficult for copycats.

“They should report to the law enforcement agencies immediately where they suspect that their products are being “copied”. It is equally important for these companies to educate consumers on their unique products features to differentiate them from counterfeits. Consumers are urged to report immediately where they suspect counterfeit products,” he said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI)’s Manicaland chapter president, Mr Bernard Makoni said tightening imports through the country’s porous entry and exit points may also help starve street packaging of different products.

“It is difficult to do anything other than lobby through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for intervention and protection.

“The biggest problem being that most of the perpetrators are not registered entities where one can physically hold to account. This remains a problem more so when our borders are porous, opening way to these activities,” he said.

Of late, some producers and packaging companies have maintained serious monitoring mechanisms on the disposal of their packaging material, including total destruction of damaged empty sacks or packs so that they do not to find way into the hands of the dodgy street merchants.

 

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