Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Yeukai Karengezeka, Court Correspondent
A Harare-based company, has been accused of allegedly manufacturing and selling improperly labelled beverages.
Tembeya Private Limited, represented by one of its directors, Eric Iradukuda, appeared before the courts following an investigation by detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Unit.
The accused company, faces charges of contravening the Food Standards Act and food labeling regulations.
The trial is scheduled to begin on March 13 and will be presided over by Harare Magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo.
According to court documents, on February 26, detectives received a tip-off that Tembeya Private Limited was manufacturing and distributing illicit beverages at its premises located at Number 1 Railway Reserve Land in Rugare, Harare.
Acting on the information, the detectives visited the premises at around 2pm and conducted thorough checks.
During the inspection, the detectives discovered that the labels on Tembeya Ginger drinks did not comply with statutory labelling requirements.
The labels failed to explicitly include the phrase “added as a preservative” before or after the mention of sodium benzoate, a preservative used in the product.
This omission contravenes provisions of the relevant food safety and labelling laws.
Samples of the ginger drinks were seized from the premises and sent to the Government Analyst for testing.
The results, which confirmed the labelling irregularities, will be presented in court as part of the evidence against the company.
The State alleges that Tembeya Private Limited acted unlawfully by distributing the improperly labeled beverages, which could potentially mislead consumers.
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