A farmer in Mpumalanga has been arrested for allegedly repackaging expired and rotten food for sale.
The Hawks’ Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation together with the SAPS says they received information about a farmer who allegedly repacked expired and rotten food for delivery to different retailers destined for human consumption.
The 30-year-old farmer allegedly collects expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the guise of feeding it to his domestic animals.
Upon arrival at his farm, the Hawks and inspectors from the Govern Mbeki Local Municipality Health found two warehouses packed with rotten food.
Four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and chicken meat were discovered.
About 1 000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese products.
A truck, fitted with a cold room, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat, and an empty LDV were also found.
The Hawks say an investigation will be conducted on the vehicles.
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.
Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber says, “It is a massive blow to the packager as these products were destined for unsuspecting end users. Food packaged (in such a manner) poses a huge risk to communities.”
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