Sell-by label tampering in spotlight

COMPANIES that tamper with sell-by labels on products can be criminally prosecuted and heavily fined.

Current affairs television show Carte Blanche aired an insert on Sunday night showing the butchery franchise Meat World allegedly selling spoiled meat and relabeling products to extend their sell-by date.

National Consumer Commission spokesman Trevor Hattingh could not confirm if they would investigate the allegations against Meat World.

But he said relabeling products was an offence in terms of section 110 of the Consumer Protection Act.

If businesses are found guilty they can be fined R1-million plus 10% of their annual turnover.

Meat World said on its Facebook page yesterday they took Carte Blanche’s allegations “very seriously”.

“We have begun immediate investigations.

“We will release a statement as soon as possible to update our valued customers on the situation.”

Meat World CEO Angelino Pereira said: “We will do everything in our power to restore our customers’ faith in our brand.”

Meat World annually sells about R1.5-billion worth of meat products in their 14 stores across Gauteng‚ North West and Mpumalanga.

According to a regulation of the Foodstuffs‚ Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act‚ you cannot relabel food that has been “exposed for sale”‚ including cleaning or repacking food. — DDC