The country`s consumer rights watchdog has urged citizens to be wary of counterfeit products that could endanger their health and safety, particularly during the approaching festive season.
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) says consumers should be cautious of where they buy their food and beverage products to reduce the chances of consuming harmful products.
Recently, there have been several reports that fake whiskies have flooded the country and were being sold on the streets.
The consumer body`s Regional Officer for Midlands Province Chiedza Chikumbirike-Harunashe told 98.4FM News that most of the counterfeit goods were being sold on the streets by unregistered dealers.
“Consumers should stop using backyard traders because these counterfeit goods most of the time are sold in shops that are not reputable. They are sold by anaMuseyamwa (informal traders) and usually at a cheap price to make you think you were lucky, yet they sold you counterfeit products.”
Chikumbirike-Harunashe added that consumers should buy from “reputable shops” to ensure they bought original products.
“Firstly, I want to advise consumers to buy from reputable retailers because of the time you don`t get these counterfeits from reputable shops,” she said
Zimbabwe has become a haven of counterfeit and smuggled goods despite efforts to curb this illicit trade, according to the Anti-Counterfeit and Fake Foods Watchdog (Anti-Counterfeit Watchdog). Some of the products affected by counterfeits include foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and medical services.