MORE than 560kg of unsafe food products have been confiscated from 21 shops at Msunduza following a major inspection exercise by the Municipal Council of Mbabane.
The operation, conducted yesterday by the municipality’s Public Health Department, uncovered a wide range of products deemed unfit for human consumption, including expired food items, pest-infested products, damaged goods and items without proper labeling.
Director of Public Health Dr Alfred Adams said the seized products included rice, packaged meat, snacks, vegetables and soft drinks that failed to meet the required health and safety standards.
“The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that food sold to members of the public is safe, healthy and fit for consumption. During the exercise, we identified several products that posed a potential health risk and had to be removed from circulation immediately,” Adams said.
He explained that the municipality regularly conducts inspections across the city’s retail sector as part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and maintain food safety standards.
Beyond confiscating unsafe products, Adams said health inspectors also engaged with shop owners and operators to educate them on proper food handling and storage practices.
“We continuously educate business owners on the importance of removing damaged products from shelves, maintaining clean premises and complying with all food safety regulations. Prevention and awareness are just as important as enforcement,” he said.
According to Adams, the latest inspections form part of activities leading up to World Food Safety Day to be commemorated on Sunday.
The municipality intends to use the occasion to raise greater awareness about the importance of food safety among both traders and consumers. He warned that the sale of expired or contaminated food products can expose consumers to serious health complications, including foodborne illnesses.
“It is important for retailers to understand the dangers associated with selling unsafe food. Consumers place their trust in businesses when purchasing products, and that trust should not be compromised,” Adams added.
The municipality also pledged to continue educating the public on food safety guidelines and consumer rights to ensure residents remain vigilant when purchasing food products.
He noted that as they intensify efforts to improve food safety standards, consumers are encouraged to carefully inspect products before purchase and report any suspicious or expired goods to the relevant authorities.
He concluded that the crackdown highlights the municipality’s commitment to ensuring that food sold within Mbabane remains safe and healthy for all residents.
