A 30-year-old farmer from Mpumalanga was arrested by the Hawks for allegedly repackaging and selling expired and rotten food and dairy products to retailers.

A COLLECTOR OF ROT

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Magonseni Nkosi explained that the farmer allegedly collected expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the guise of feeding such food to his domestic animals. "When the team comprising of the Hawks and Goven 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," said Nkosi. He added that around 1 000 crates were found fully loaded with expired dairy products, including cheese products.

SEIZURE

Nkosi said a truck, fitted with a cold room, two light delivery vehicles, one loaded with meat and an empty LDV were also found at the farm. He said the vehicles on the scene are subject to intense investigations. "A total of seven freezers were found in the warehouses with repackaged wheat, flour and maize meal. Equipment used for vacuuming, scales and plastic sealers was also found on the scene." Nkosi added that the recovered items include stickers and pricing machines, which are believed to be used during repackaging. Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber said this was a massive blow to the packager as the products were destined for unsuspecting end users. Food so packaged poses a huge risk to communities." he said.