ERIC MATOME KGOMO
TAFELKOP: Tafelkop Home Based Care, together with volunteered health specialist have recently begun a crackdown on the sale of expired food in the village, following a wave of complaints about foreign national owned shops selling perishable goods.
During the crackdown, that visited ten shops around the village, it was discovered that more than half of the goods were expired and not in line with the required health and safety standards. Jeffrey Walker, member of the Tafelkop Home Based Care, told the Timeless News that they pounced to the shops after receiving complaints from community members who had to return goods to the shops after finding out that they have expired. “Most of the shops were found to be selling foods that expired in 2020 and are still on the shelves. Some have passed their expiry date for about a year and they are still sold,” he said. Walker said most of the perishable foods included soft drinks, biscuits and maize meal. “Some of the shops kept fruits and vegetables on the floor while surrounded by flies. The owners didn’t see anything wrong about that,” he said. Walker indicated that all the expired foods were disposed, but no fines were issued since they don’t have the authority to issue fines. “There is a need to inspect these shops regularly to ensure if they comply with consumer rights. This is a serious health compromise of our citizens and it has been too long now while the government is doing nothing about these issues,” he said. Walker said similar inspections will be conducted until all shops abides to compliance.
