14 Shops found with 649 expired products

Consumers in six districts were put at risk after the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) found 649 expired and uncertified products in 14 shops during inspections.

Spokesperson for the Commission, Innocent Helema said the exercise was conducted in Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Mzimba, Mzuzu, and Kasungu where enforcement officers found traders stocking expired goods and selling products without certification marks.

The expired items cut across food, drinks, and cosmetics, and included products that were months past their expiry dates, highlighting gross negligence toward consumer safety.

“We have found 14 traders selling expired products and others that are not certified. The law states that if you are selling goods, especially packaged ones, they must be certified and must not be expired to avoid putting people’s lives at risk,” he said.

Helema said the conduct violates Section 51(e) of the Competition and Fair Trading Act, which bans the supply of goods that can cause injury or do not meet Malawi’s consumer safety standards.

He further warned that shops found in violation may face regulatory action, including monetary penalties of up to 10% of annual turnover.

The Commission stated that inspections will continue and urged traders to exercise due diligence and avoid stocking expired or uncertified goods. Consumers are also advised to check expiry dates and certification marks, and to report violations.