Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Business Reporter
LAW enforcement authorities, in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) and Government officials, yesterday seized more than seven tonnes of fake Pearlenta maize meal as the Government intensifies the blitz against growing trade in counterfeit products.
The raid, which was conducted in downtown Harare, netted several operators of tuckshops in the capital, which are owned by local and foreign nationals.
The joint operation, comprising the policy, CPC, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Trade Measures Department and National Foods, uncovered large stocks of counterfeit goods being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
This follows representations by National Foods, Zimbabwe’s largest food manufacturer, about the growing trade in the replicated Pearlenta maize meal brand line.
The revelation is only a tip of the iceberg regarding the proliferation of trade in fake products across the country, which has become so rampant that it happens in broad daylight, putting the safety of consumers at risk, while the formal industry is also under threat.
During yesterday’s raid, huge quantities of fraudulent versions of National Foods’ popular Pearlenta maize meal brand line, packed below the standard weight of 10 kilogrammes per unit, were seized.
The shopping public had also previously expressed reservations about the quality of the Pearlenta maize meal in the market, especially among down town traders.
A counterfeit is a fraudulent imitation or fake of a genuine product, document, or currency, created with the intent to deceive or defraud by appearing to be legitimate.
Many manufacturers have earlier complained about the imitation of their products on the local market.
The tide of counterfeiting now cuts across almost all sectors of the economy and products, including fertiliser, seeds, agricultural chemicals and electronics.
Other products like lotions, toothpaste, peanut butter, shoe polish, cooking oil, baked beans, heat rub, and cough syrup and popular brands Royco and Cascade, have not been spared.
Shockingly, counterfeiting has transcended to the selling of fake medicines and pharmaceuticals, putting the health and life of the general public at great risk.
Industry stakeholders are on record saying the proliferation of counterfeit goods significantly erodes the competitiveness of the local industry, which ultimately weighs on the economy.
CPC representative Mr Tom Mleya said the commission was deeply concerned about the rise in counterfeit products and warned businesspeople to desist from malpractices, given the serious impact it has on citizens and the economy.
He assured the nation that authorities would leave no stone unturned in tackling the menace through a whole-of-government approach to eliminate counterfeit goods from the market.
“As the CPC, we are very worried about the surge in counterfeit products. What is happening today is so disturbing and we would want to assure the nation that we are hands-on in dealing with the counterfeit products within our country and we are using the whole-of-government approach in making sure that we weed out every counterfeit product in the market,” he said.
Trade Measures Regional Inspector Mr Tawedzerwa Muwani said it was a huge betrayal that customers’ hard-earned finances were being fraudulently taken away through counterfeits and at potential detriment to their health.
“It is of concern that the market is flooded with smuggled and counterfeit goods, dangerous and underweight, like what we have unearthed today.
“It is a serious offence according to the Trade Measures Act for anybody or any person to pick something and then declare a wrong weight, like we are seeing today. So our team, together with CPC and the ZRP, is out to weed out all such products,” Mr Muwami said.
Speaking during the operation, National Foods quality assurance officer Mr Nyasha Mudita said counterfeiting was crippling the company, damaging the Pearlenta brand’s reputation and endangering consumers.
“Imitations are bleeding us as National Foods, in this case, the reputation of our premium brand Pearlenta. Generally, this is killing the growth of local industry and putting the public at risk,” said Mr Mudita.
Recently, the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Amos Marawa, highlighted that the proliferation of counterfeit goods has far-reaching implications that extend beyond economic repercussions, posing significant threats to public health, consumer safety, industrial competitiveness, and the overall integrity of local markets.
“The issue of counterfeit goods is not just an economic concern. It is a matter that affects public health, consumer safety, industrial competitiveness, and the integrity of our markets.
“The global economic impact of counterfeit and pirated goods is staggering, with billions of dollars lost annually and millions of jobs affected,” said Eng Marawa.
Pearlenta is a National Foods premium product made from specially selected and milled maize to deliver a high-quality maize meal that uses less to cook more.
It is available in three variants: Pearlenta Super Refined, Pearlenta High Fibre Maize Bran and Pearlenta High Fibre Wheat Bran.
Online Reporter