Hawks bust Mpumalanga farmer suspected of selling expired food

Mpumalanga Farmer

Cape Town — The Hawks have arrested a Mpumalanga farmer who allegedly repackaged expired and rotten animal food to be sold and destined for human consumption.

In a statement, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit and Charl Cillier SAPS reported uncovering a farmer who was collecting expired food from chain stores and distributors, claiming it was meant for his livestock.

“When the team comprising of the Hawks, and Govern Mbeki Local Municipality Health Inspectors visited the farm, they were shocked when two warehouses were found packed with food not fit for human consumption. Four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken meat were found,” police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said.

Police discovered 1 000 crates full of expired dairy goods, including cheese. A truck, with a cold room inside, two light delivery vehicles – one with meat and an empty one – were found and police are set to conduct an investigation on the vehicles.

Seven freezers were found inside the warehouse with repackaged wheat, flower and maize. Eqipument for vacuuming, scales and sealers were also found.  The recovered items include stickers and pricing machines are believed to be used during repackaging.

Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Hawks, Nico Gerber, said it was a big coup for police to pull off the bust and said it was a problem that these goods were intended for human consumption.

“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.” Gerber said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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