Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has called for fair food prices, stronger safety standards, and increased support for local food production, warning that rising living costs are undermining households’ access to nutritious diets.
The consumer watchdog said food security should extend beyond availability to affordability, quality, safety and nutritional value, as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Food Day on 16 October.
This year’s theme, “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” shows the need for innovation, traditional knowledge and inclusive approaches to building sustainable food systems.
“For CCZ, this day is a reminder that food security is not only about the availability of food, but also about its affordability, quality, safety, nutritional value and accessibility. Consumers must be able to obtain food that meets acceptable safety and quality standards without compromising other essential household needs,” the organisation said.
CCZ called on producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to promote fair and transparent pricing, responsible trading practices and efficient supply chains.
Consumers should also receive accurate information on prices, quantities, ingredients, nutritional content and expiry dates to support informed purchasing decisions.
Beyond affordability, CCZ noted food safety as a critical consumer protection issue, urging businesses across the value chain to maintain appropriate standards during production, storage, transportation and sale.
“Access to food must never come at the expense of consumer health,” CCZ said, encouraging consumers to check product labels, expiry dates, packaging integrity and storage conditions before purchasing food.
The organisation also urged authorities to strengthen inspections, consumer education and enforcement against unsafe products and misleading labelling.
CCZ said indigenous foods, including millet, sorghum, rapoko, cowpeas and traditional vegetables, could help improve dietary diversity while creating opportunities for smallholder farmers and local businesses.
“CCZ recognises the importance of indigenous foods and traditional food knowledge in promoting dietary diversity, supporting local producers and strengthening community resilience,” it said.
The council called for investment in climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable water use and better food storage to reduce post-harvest losses and protect supplies against climate-related shocks.
It urged consumers to minimise food waste, support responsible local producers and report suspected unsafe food and unfair trading practices.
“The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe reiterates that every consumer deserves access to safe, affordable and nutritious food,” CCZ said, adding that achieving this required responsible business conduct, effective regulation and informed consumer choices.
