By Jones Gadama
A shocking discovery was made at Sana warehouses in Limbe, where officials were found hiding sugar and selling expired goods.
An investigation led by the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) uncovered 1.41 tonnes of expired rice and 2.2 tonnes of expired drinks at the warehouse.
The MBS officials were tipped off about the expired goods and decided to pay a visit to the warehouse. What they found was alarming.
The warehouse was stocked with expired products, which were being repackaged and re-stickered to make them appear fresh.
The laws in Malawi are clear: expired goods are supposed to be moved from the shelf to the wastage site, not stored in a warehouse.
The MBS has vowed to take action against Sana for violating these laws and putting the health of Malawians at risk.
In addition to the expired goods, the investigation also found that Sana was hiding sugar in their warehouse while claiming that it was not available in their shops.
The MBS officials ordered Sana to take the sugar to their shops, where it was desperately needed.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry, in conjunction with the CFTC has closed the Sana Limbe Shop for 14 days.
The maximum penalty for this offense is 10% of the annual turnover. The MBS has requested audited financial statements from Sana to determine the exact penalty.
This incident has sparked outrage among Malawians, who are calling for tougher penalties against businesses that prioritize profits over people’s health.
The MBS has assured the public that they will continue to monitor businesses and take action against those that violate the law.
In a related development, the MBS has shut down several Sana shops in Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzuzu due to poor hygiene and the sale of expired products.
The closures are a clear indication that the MBS is serious about protecting the health and safety of Malawians.
As the debate over the Sugar Bill continues, this incident has highlighted the need for tougher regulations on businesses that deal with essential commodities.
The bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon, aims to regulate the sugar industry and ensure that Malawians have access to affordable and quality sugar.
The MBS has called on all Malawians to support the Sugar Bill and to be vigilant against businesses that prioritize profits over people’s health.
As one official noted, “We serve the people, not the interests of businesses. It’s time for us to put people over politics.”
