Fake food warning: How to spot counterfeit products

Social media has been flooded with videos of spaza shops selling fake food to the public. As previously reported by The South African, some of these “fake foods” may be hazardous to our health as they bypass food quality control and health standards. While reports of fake food continue to rise in the country, it is easy to spot counterfeit products. Here are some tips to help you avoid fake products when shopping for the festive season.

It’s important to remember to report any store that sells fake food. You can contact the original manufacturer of the products and also report the shop to the National Department of Health to help others.

How to spot fake food by its colour

The Health Department stated that one way to spot fake food is by looking at the colour of the product. As reported by Sowetan Live, the department stated that the colour of the counterfeit product won’t resemble the original product as fake manufacturers will use incorrect additives. If the colour is lighter or darker than the original product, it’s likely illicit goods.

ALSO READ: ‘Fake food’ in South Africa: myths, misinformation and not enough data

Look for spelling errors and incorrect fonts

Inspect the packaging before buying a product. A reputable brand will ensure its packaging has no spelling and grammar errors. Pay attention to the font used on the product and the size of the lettering. Fake packaging isn’t completely identical to the original manufacturer’s packaging. It’s best to avoid the product if something on the packaging doesn’t look quite right to you.

Inspect the logo

Popular brands often have a distinct logo you can easily spot. This will either be their name, a picture or a slogan to represent their brand. If you aren’t sure of a brand’s logo, search for the original product or manufacturer to ensure the product you are about to purchase is authentic.

ALSO READ: Cape Town restaurants alerted, as ‘fake inspectors’ score free food

Look out for expiration dates

Although some products may be authentic, they could be expired and not safe for human consumption. Always look at the expiration date before purchasing a product. Food that is expired can cause illness or even food poisoning as the ingredients start to deteriorate. Don’t buy products in bulk if they are about to expire if you likely won’t consume these before the expiration date.

Should you wish to contribute and assist in supporting The South African’s Women in Journalism programme, click HERE