By Burnett Munthali
The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has temporarily closed Sana Wholesale in Katoto, Mzuzu, after uncovering poor hygiene practices and the sale of expired and rotten products during a special market surveillance operation. The closure highlights ongoing efforts by the Bureau to ensure consumer protection and adherence to safety standards.
The surveillance, which targeted both local and imported products, revealed shocking findings at the wholesale store. Speaking in Mzuzu, Gertrude Mwakikunga, the Deputy Director of Quality Assurance in the Services Monitoring Division, explained that the decision to close the shop was driven by multiple violations.
“This shop was found selling expired goods, including rotten sausages, expired biscuits, and soap. Furthermore, the fridges intended for storing fresh foods were not functioning, leading to a deterioration in product quality. Poor packaging practices also left fresh foods exposed to contamination, and there was a foul smell in the shop,” Mwakikunga stated.
MBS inspectors reported several concerning issues during their visit. Apart from the rotten and expired goods, they noted that hygiene standards in the shop were far below acceptable levels. Key areas of concern included:
1) Non-functional refrigeration systems.
2) Rotten meat and other perishable items stored improperly.
3) Poor packaging practices exposing fresh products to contamination.
4) General unhygienic conditions that posed a health risk to consumers.
The findings prompted the immediate closure of Sanaa Wholesale to allow the management to address the issues and comply with the Bureau’s standards.
The closure forms part of a broader market surveillance initiative by the MBS aimed at protecting consumers from unsafe products. These inspections not only focus on expired and rotten goods but also target smuggled and unregistered products. The Bureau also assesses the general hygiene of retail outlets to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Mwakikunga emphasized that the Bureau is committed to upholding public safety by taking decisive action against any businesses that fail to meet its requirements. “We cannot compromise on the health and safety of consumers. Businesses must ensure that their products and operations adhere to our standards,” she said.
The closure of Sanaa Wholesale serves as a wake-up call to other businesses to prioritize hygiene and quality in their operations. The MBS has warned that it will continue conducting surprise inspections to identify and address similar violations in other establishments.
Sanaa Wholesale has been directed to address all the issues raised by the Bureau, including repairing its refrigeration systems, disposing of expired and rotten goods, and improving hygiene within the shop. The Bureau will only allow the store to reopen after verifying that all corrective measures have been implemented.
This incident underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in ensuring that businesses maintain high standards of hygiene and product quality. Consumers are also urged to remain vigilant and report any shops selling unsafe or expired products to the authorities.
