Woolworths has launched an investigation, after police seized a large quantity of tinned pilchards with counterfeit Lucky Star labels and printing equipment used to alter expiry dates at a facility in Sedibeng.
The Daily Maverick reports that the counterfeiters had evidently relabeled expired pilchards from 2021/22 with fake 2026 dates.
The cans of pilchards with Lucky Star labels were packed in Woolworths-labeled cartons. Lucky Star has pointed out that, in contrast to the goods found at the Sedibeng facility, Lucky Star pilchard cans do not have ring-pull or easy-opening lids.
Seven illegal immigrants, reportedly aged between 18 and 29, were arrested, while the owner of the facility was said to be at large.
Charges were laid for food safety violations, theft and immigration offences after police arrested seven individuals, said to be illegal immigrants. The owner of the facility is reportedly not among the seven.
The Daily Maverick reports that Woolworths said it had “strong reason” to believe that the product in question may have been part of an imported shipment from an international supplier that was rejected due to failure to meet the retailer’s stringent quality-control standards.
“In the event of a product being rejected, it becomes the immediate responsibility of the supplier to collect and dispose of the stock from our warehouse responsibly. We have launched our own investigation to determine why this process was not adhered to in this instance. At Woolworths, we take food safety and the well-being of our customers extremely seriously. It is our number-one priority.”
Woolworths cautioned customers that Woolworths-labeled products should only be bought at its stores, or through the company’s online portal.
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