Woolworths launches probe after pilchard forgery uncovered

Woolworths has launched an investigation after branded packaging was found during a police raid on a counterfeiting operation in Gauteng.

On Tuesday, 12 November, the South African Police Service revealed that crime intelligence officers had raided a facility on Eland Street in Daleside, Sedibeng, the previous day, during which they seized a large quantity of counterfeit Lucky Star pilchards and printing equipment used to alter expiration dates. 

Workers had relabelled expired pilchards from 2021/22 with fake 2026 dates.

The cans of Lucky Star pilchards were packed in Woolworths-labelled cartons.

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. 

On Friday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the issue of food safety, in response to the deaths of 22 children due to exposure to terbufos, a pesticide meant for agricultural purposes that is informally sold in poor communities, calling foodborne illnesses a rising crisis. Investigations revealed traces of the pesticide in food sold at spaza shops, alongside poor hygiene and unsafe storage practices. 

Read more: President Ramaphosa addresses South Africans about deadly foodborne illnesses

Cabinet has approved urgent measures, including the immediate closure of noncompliant shops, strict pesticide regulations and extensive inspections. Public education campaigns on food safety and pesticide risks will also be launched.

On Saturday morning, Woolworths said it was aware of the police investigation into the counterfeit operation. 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-labelled products should only be bought at its stores, or through the company’s online portal. DM