Court warns shops against selling expired goods

A PLUMTREE magistrate has warned supermarkets against selling expired goods as that puts the lives of their customers at risk.

Gideon Ruvetsa said shop owners must closely monitor their stock to ensure that expired goods are withdrawn from the shelves on time.

He said this while sentencing two supermarkets from Tshitshi area in Mangwe District who were arrested for displaying expired goods.

Ruvetsa ordered the two supermarkets to each pay a $100 fine each.


Bula Uzabula Supermarket, was represented by its shopkeeper 29-year- old Wilton Sibanda, and Khayalami Supermarket, was represented by its shopkeeper Codelia Nkomo, 30.

The two shopkeepers, on behalf of the supermarkets, pleaded guilty.

"There're some goods which if expired could have fatal effects on consumers if they're ingested. Therefore, it's important for you as supermarkets to monitor your stock as food handling requires extra caution," said Ruvetsa as he passed the sentence.

"Such cases of negligence can't go by without any penalty as this is a serious offence."

He said the goods that were recovered from both supermarkets would be destroyed.

Both shopkeepers requested to be pardoned saying they had erred.

Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira said police detectives from Mangwe District were conducting patrols at Tshitshi Business Centre on October 23 when they received information that the two shops were selling expired goods.

Upon inspecting the goods they discovered eight 50ml bottles of Borstol cough remedy, 34 packs of Citro soda, 10 packs of Panado, 24 packs of Cafemol tablets, nine packs of bicarbonate soda and 10 packs of soup spices which had expired.