PF takes Spar supermarket to task
PF takes Spar supermarket to taskBy Patson Chilemba
Sunday May 20, 2007 [04:00]
THE Patriotic Front (PF) yesterday took Spar Arcades Supermarket management to task over the alleged recycling of expired foodstuffs for sale to the public. Leading those who stormed the supermarket's kitchen, PF Lusaka Province chairperson Rhoda Nsama said selling recycled foodstuffs in Zambia was illegal.
A check at the supermarket revealed that expired foodstuffs in the kitchen particularly eggs, whose colour had changed from their usual white to purple while chickens had turned green. But the chefs who were caught unaware unconvincingly told Nsama that the chickens, eggs and the macaroni, which were dry were prepared yesterday morning.
"Look, if these eggs were prepared today in the morning how could they look like this? "You should be serving foods that are fresh. You are recycling food, how can you be recycling food like that?"
Nsama took Spars Arcades manager Doug Fraser to task to explain why his supermarket was recycling expired foodstuffs for sale to the consumers but he said he could only comment when the complaints were put in writing.
Fraser, who looked overwhelmed by the constant barrage of questions, asked Nsama and PF administrative officer Kaizer Zulu where they had come from and which organisation they were representing.
Nsama and her team responded that they were representing Zambians who had been reduced to an extent of being sold expired foodstuffs.
Nsama expressed sadness that Zambia had been turned into a dumping site.
Examination of expiry dates on selected items revealed that some of them have been defaced using ink. Nsama said that she undertook the task based on several complaints that her party had received from some Spars employees.
And some workers, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that Spar management ordered them not to dispose off any foodstuffs but recycle it. They explained that some expired foodstuffs like spices were taken to the kitchen where they were used.
The workers said that what had been exposed was just a tip of an iceberg of the injustices that were happening at Arcades.
Labels: CORRUPTION, PF, SPAR ARCADES
posted by MrK @ 5:02 AM
3 Comments:
The actions taken by the PF demostrate to us that those whose responsibilities are to conduct regular and random checks on behalf of the public are not working and if they are they chose to turn the other way.
I can recall my own experience with the Ndola city council where when I checked the health certificates of the people running our canteen the papers were not in order. Trying to check with the council proved a waste of time as doors just closed on me all the way up to the Town Clerk who was always unavailable.
Well done the PF though I'd prefer the right people taking thios up and doing their jobs. It will be interesting to see if the Council will take this up.
Way to go PF.
I think this shows the importance of being a 'difficult' customer/consumer.
There has to be some strong consumer protection. Also, Doug Fraser needs to lose his job if this goes all the way up to him.
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