Police crack down on vendors selling expired meat [video]

The police were called to a vendor’s store after it was discovered that they had been allegedly selling expired meat.

It is not certain when this occurred. From the context of the video, it suggests that it took place some time in 2019 — months after communities in Soweto protested for the closure of these stores.

Read — Government blasts “fake news” photo of Spaza shop “expired food victim”

Vendor caught selling expired meat

In the video, the police lady questioned the vendor on the item expiry information that was stuck to the packaging of a tray of sausage.

You could clearly see that from the discolouring of the meat, it was probably not safe for human consumption.

However, the vendor admitted to the police that he, indeed, stocked and sold expired foods.

When asked why he consciously allowed people to purchase these expired items, the vendor stated that it was because he knew that people in the township are desperate.

The only information that was apparently written on the packaging was that the product would ‘expire’ in six months.

Read — Angry community members dispose of expired Spaza shop goods

There was no sell-by date, no packaging date nor was there an exact date of expiry.

If a customer had picked up these items, at any given time of the year, they would have no clue how long the product had been sitting in the store’s refrigerator.

How to report vendors selling expired products

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) was vocal about clamping down on vendors who sell expired goods after the Soweto protests of late 2018.

It was discovered that many of the spaza shops in informal areas were notorious for selling dated products.

Consumers and communities can report any suspicious-looking food items or business selling expired food products to the NCC at 0124287000 or by e-mailing complaints@thencc.org.za

Read — Public health officials expose PE eateries for selling expired foods

Watch: Police question vendor on expired goods