A farmer was arrested following a tip-off about a farmer who allegedly repacked expired and rotten food for delivery to different retailers, destined for human consumption.
According to reports, the 30 year old farmer collects expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the auspices of feeding such food to his domestic animals.
When the team comprising of the Hawks and Govan Mbeki Local Municipality Health Inspectors visited the farm, they were shocked when two warehouses were found with four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken meat.
About 1000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese. A truck, fitted with a coldroom, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat, and an empty LDV were also found. An intense investigation will be conducted on the vehicles.
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A total of seven freezers were found in the warehouses with repackaged wheat, flower, and maize meal. Equipment used for vacuuming, scales, and plastic sealers was found on the scene. The recovered items include stickers and pricing machines, which are believed to be used during repackaging.
“It is a massive blow to the packager as these products were destined for unsuspecting end users. Food so packaged poses a huge risk to communities,” said the Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber.
