The seized products include fruit-flavored drinks, noodles, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and other unknown foodstuffs.
• It was discovered that products being sold at some premises were labeled in a foreign language only.
• Follow-up inspections will continuously be carried out across the country to ensure that traders are operating in conformity with applicable laws.

A joint team of officers from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized assorted non-compliant products in Kabwe, Central Province valued at K58,578.
According to a joint statement issued by CCPC Public Relations Officer Mubiana Nalwendo and ZCSA Head of Communications Brian Hatyoka, the seized products include fruit-flavored drinks, noodles, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and other unknown foodstuffs labeled in a foreign language only, contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
The duo explains that during a recent inspection conducted by CCPC and ZCSA in Kabwe’s Central Business District, it was discovered that products being sold at some premises were labeled in a foreign language only.
“Recently, CCPC and ZCSA conducted a joint inspection of the Central Business District in Kabwe. The primary objective of the inspection was to ensure that traders were following the product labeling standards in line with the Competition and Consumer Protection Act, No. 24 of 2010 as amended; and the Compulsory Standards Act No.3 of 2017.”
“It was discovered during the inspection that products being sold at some premises were labeled in a foreign language only. Consequently, the products were seized. The inspection team later conducted a sensitization exercise to raise awareness and enhance compliance levels,” they said.
Mr. Nalwendo and Mr. Hatyoka warned traders against selling products that do not comply with the packaging and labeling requirements of the Laws of Zambia, as failure to do so may result in severe penalties.
“Follow-up inspections will continuously be carried out across the country to ensure that traders are operating in conformity with various applicable laws. This seizure should send a strong message to traders on the importance we attach to protecting consumers and upholding the integrity of the marketplace,” they added.

Zambian Standard – ZS 033: Labelling of pre-packaged foods Part 1 and 2 provides general guidelines for labeling and packaging for all products sold on the Zambian market.
Further, Section 50 (1) of the CCPC Act states that, “A product that is sold in Zambia shall have a label in the official language to clearly indicate the product description, ingredients used in the product, date of manufacture and expiry of the product, manufacturer’s name, t physical location of the manufacturer, the telephone number and any other contact details of the manufacturer.”

On the other hand, Section 50 (2) of the Act states that, “A person or an enterprise shall not sell any goods to consumers unless the goods conform to the mandatory consumer product information standard for the class of goods set by the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency or other relevant competent body.”