Mpika Town Council pounces on traders selling expired food products

Mpika Town Council has confiscated expired food products from a shop in the Central Business District as part of efforts to protect public health and enforce food safety regulations.

The seized items include 50 cases of Kombucha drinks, corn flakes, peanut butter, salt, tomato sauce and other assorted products.

According to Council Public Relations Officer, Mushota Mpundu, all the goods were found to be past their expiry dates and were deemed unfit for human consumption.

Mpundu said the sale of expired food items is a serious offense under the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019 and the Public Health Act, Chapter 295, which outline the standards and legal requirements for food safety and consumer protection.

He warned all business owners to desist from selling expired or unsafe products, stating that offenders will face prosecution in line with existing laws.

Mpundu also urged members of the public to remain alert by checking expiry dates on food and beverage products before making purchases, and to report any suspected expired goods to the Council.

He emphasized that public cooperation was essential in maintaining food safety and safeguarding consumers.

Shop owners were further advised to improve stock management practices, conduct regular inventory checks, and ensure that all products on sale meet the required safety and quality standards.

Mpundu said all the confiscated expired products would be disposed of at the Council dump site in accordance with approved public health disposal procedures.

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