Have you ever wondered if the food you’re buying is actually what it claims to be? Here in South Africa, we’re facing a serious problem with fake food products showing up on our store shelves. From mislabeled canned goods to dangerous imitation products, these counterfeits aren’t just disappointing – they’re putting our health at risk.
Last year alone, over 100 cases of food-related illnesses were linked to counterfeit products. Several families ended up in hospital after consuming fake baby formula, while local shops unwittingly sold cooking oil that contained harmful chemicals.
The CGCSA Steps Up
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa has heard our concerns and launched something really helpful – the “Checka daai ding, Reka Makoya!” campaign. It’s a friendly reminder to check before we buy, making sure we’re getting the real deal.
They’ve made it super easy for us to help:
- A free app called MyCGCSA that lets us check if products are genuine
- A toll-free hotline (0800 014 856) where we can report suspicious items
- Regular updates about known counterfeit products in the market
What the Campaign Aims to Do
The main goal is pretty straightforward – they want to help us spot fake products before they make it to our shopping baskets. It’s like having a friend who knows all about genuine products looking out for us while we shop.
“When we work together as consumers, we make it harder for counterfeiters to fool us.” – CGCSA Statement
Training Our Protectors
It’s heartening to see how many people are working to keep us safe:
- Over 300 police officers have learned how to spot fake products
- Health professionals now know what signs to look for
- 600 local shop owners can better protect their customers
Why We Need a Food Safety Agency
Right now, different departments handle food safety, which can get confusing. Having one main agency would make things much clearer and help catch the bad guys faster. Think of it like having one security guard watching all the doors instead of several watching different entrances.
CGCSA Leading the Way
Zinhle Tyikwe, who leads the CGCSA, puts it simply: “We need everyone to play their part – from shop owners to customers to law enforcement.” She’s right – solving this problem needs all of us working together.
How You Can Help
It’s actually pretty easy to make a difference:
- Download the MyCGCSA App – it’s free and user-friendly
- Save the hotline number on your phone
- Tell your friends and family about what to look out for
- Report anything suspicious you notice while shopping
Moving Forward Together
The fake food problem won’t go away overnight, but we’re making progress. Every time we check our products or report something suspicious, we’re helping make our food safer for everyone.
“Each of us can be a food safety hero by staying alert and speaking up when something doesn’t seem right.”
Remember, protecting our food supply is something we all can do together. Let’s keep our eyes open and our community safe!