The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is investigating 18 companies in KwaZulu-Natal for allegedly selling expired food items.

The investigation follows complaints from consumers and a visit last month to a company in Verulam, north of Durban. The company was found to repackage cakes and snacks with expired dates and sell other items without proper labels.

NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba says, “We were here last month to conduct market monitoring, and of course, we were not happy with what we saw. We must have an investigation or directive to say we are investigating a supplier, and we are here today to issue that directive.”

“In some instances, we issue compliance notices where things can be easily fixed and we allow through a compliance certificate to say either you remove the goods  from the shelves or you fix or label properly but it will depend on the contravention,” Ntaba added.

The investigation aims to address these concerns and ensure consumer safety in the province, says the NCC.

NCC | 18 suppliers in KZN to be investigated