CCZ raises alarm on MoFaya energy drink

22 May, 2016 - 00:05 0 Views
CCZ raises alarm on MoFaya energy drink

The Sunday News

Noble Ncube Business Reporter
THE consumer watch dog, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has raised an alarm over the introduction of South African businessman, Sibusiso Leope’s energy drink — MoFaya — into local supermarkets citing lack of certification from its home country. The popular entertainment musician turned businessman is in the city to market and launch his energy drink MoFaya.

The drink that was launched in South Africa last year is still yet to be certified by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), a body responsible for regulating the quality of goods in that country.

Addressing the media on Friday, CCZ Matabeleland regional manager Mr Comfort Muchekeza said it was not applicable for a product that has not been approved by a regulating body in its home country to find its way to Zimbabwe’s shelves. He said it would be unethical if the product found its way into local shelves.

“We do not allow a product that has not been approved in its home country to be sold in local supermarkets. This is straight forward and simple. It does not need legislation or a policy to rectify that. As CCZ we say our consumers must be treated with respect and dignity. We are here to protect consumers so that they do not consume products that might pose a health hazard to them.

“Further, it is also our role to check if our consumers are not used as a dumping site. In fact, Zimbabwe is not a dumping site for sub-standard products. If the particular energy drink has not been approved in its home country since it was launched last year, I do not see a valid reason for it to make its way into our local shelves,” he said.

The energy drink is set to be unveiled to the local public at Choppies supermarkets in Bulawayo. Choppies Zimbabwe director Mr Siqokoqela Mphoko, however, said his team was working on modalities to rectify the quality of the foreign drink and see that it is safe for consumers.

“We are busy communicating with relevant authorities so that we protect our consumers. As Choppies we are not there to take and allow anything that comes from manufacturers. So in that regard we will not start selling the energy drinks until our local regulating body has approved it. We are doing our best to serve our customers high quality and approved products. If it begins to sell locally, it will not be from our supermarkets because we protect our consumers,” he said.

The Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) makes it possible for goods produced under an approved system of supervision and control to be licensed as complying with the appropriate standard.

To the manufacturer, product certification acts as an effective and credible marketing tool, both locally and internationally. It enhances production efficiency and minimises wastage. It protects the manufacturer from unfair competition. To the consumers, it provides confidence that the product has been certified in terms of safety and reliability. It gives a guarantee that the product is being manufactured under an effective system of testing, control and monitoring and provides protection against inferior or sub-standard products.

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