National Consumer Commission inspects 777 suppliers as food-safety crackdown intensifies
The National Consumer Commission says inspections, recalls and closer co-operation with regulators are needed to tackle unsafe and expired food, particularly in informal markets.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has conducted extensive inspections of over 777 suppliers across the country to combat unsafe products and breaches of the Consumer Protection Act. At the inaugural KwaZulu-Natal Food Safety Indaba in Durban, NCC Acting Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu addressed key consumer market concerns and unveiled the NCC's strategy for 2025-2030.
The NCC has recorded a significant increase in product recalls in 2025/2026, with 98 recalls administered, compared to just 57 in the previous period. Ratshisusu emphasized that the NCC prioritized food markets due to the prevalence of expired and unlabeled goods in informal markets. KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi expressed concerns about the socio-economic impact on vulnerable communities, particularly those reliant on tuckshops and spaza shops for basic food supplies.
Zondi stressed that inspections are crucial for understanding consumer vulnerabilities, identifying areas needing support and education, and strengthening enforcement. CGSO Liaquat Soobrathi highlighted the need to address the large informal food sector and promote good business practices among small businesses to ensure consumer protection and economic sustainability.
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