By 
The Zambia Police Service has seized large quantities of suspected counterfeit food, cosmetic and sugar products manufactured and repackaged under unhygienic conditions in Kabanana and Chipata Compounds.
The Intellectual Property Unit under Lusaka Division conducted searches on Monday, September 8, following information received on September 4 that individuals were allegedly manufacturing chilli sauce, peanut butter, shampoo and repackaging industrial sugar.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said the operations targeted two separate premises where goods were being produced and repackaged without licenses and in conditions deemed unsafe for public consumption.
The seized products included more than 20,000 bottles of chilli sauce and hundreds of bags of sugar bearing various brand names, alongside equipment used for repackaging.
“The chilli sauce, peanut butter and shampoo were being manufactured in a backyard under unhygienic conditions” at the Kabanana premises,” he said.
In Kabanana, officers recovered 20,460 bottles of Good Family Hot Chilli Sauce, 150ml each, 56 bottles of peanut butter, three 5-litre containers of shampoo, branding stickers, three hot-air guns and assorted ingredients. A 34-year-old man, Ogden Malambo, was identified in connection with the suspected activities.
Chilabi said at the Chipata Compound site, Sugar was being repackaged at the unmarked premises under unhygienic conditions.”
Items seized there included 82 bags of Mansa Sugar at 50kg each, 129 bags of Kafue Sugar at 50kg each, 67 bags of White Spoon Sugar at 50kg each, plus 101 cartons and 241 packets of White Spoon Sugar in smaller sizes.
Police also recovered sealing machines, weighing scales, batch codes, a manufacturing date stamp and empty branded sugar bags and a 25-year-old man, Jovan Mugisha, was linked to the operation.
Read More: Police arrest 14 over Kitwe riots
Both suspects have been charged.
“Jovan Mugisha has been charged with offering for sale goods bearing a false trademark and/or false trade description, contrary to Section 6(a) of the Merchandise Marks Act, Chapter 405 of the Laws of Zambia,” Chilabi stated.
He said Mugisha faces a second count of selling, preparing, packaging or storing foodstuffs under insanitary conditions and operating a factory without a licence, contrary to Sections 4 and 7 of the Food and Drugs Act, Chapter 303. Malambo faces similar charges under the Food and Drugs Act.
Chilabi said police officers would work with other agencies in the next phase.
“The Zambia Police Service will engage relevant regulatory authorities and stakeholders responsible for food safety, public health, consumer protection and standards to assist with the examination of the seized products and premises for possible additional offences,” he said.
Chilabi urged members of the public against purchasing food, cosmetics and other products from unverified sources or unlicensed manufacturers.
He warned that counterfeit and falsely branded products pose serious health risks and remain unlawful.
Investigations into the two cases are continuing as police trace distribution networks.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments