The introduction of packaged food regulations in Africa could prove to be a decisive move in Africa`s ongoing war against the surge of counterfeit and substandard goods on the continent. Africa as a region could combat the influx of substandard and fake goods through enacting a regulatory system or laws that the whole continent would adhere to when it comes to the packaging of goods.

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Speaking to Esaja.com from South Africa Ramushu Mashile Twala Inc. Candidate Attorney Tshegofatso Mashile believes that the time has come for packaged food regulations in Africa.

“Yes, definitely there needs to be regulations on packaging, because when it comes to products like food, it`s very dangerous,

“It means it would have made it into people`s homes without going through proper checks,” said Mashile.

Mashile went on to say that before enacting such governing laws, Africa as a region needs to asses the impact this is going to have on the ordinary African and also hinted on the issue of supply and demand that could fix Africa`s problem.

“If we are going to have a blanket law , let`s look at the impact, who is going to benefit more, the corporate world or the ordinary person,

“We also need to look at the issue of supply and demand and why people end up opting for cheaper alternatives,” said Mashile.

Despite the presence of national bodies which oversee that standards of goods and services in African countries  are met, counterfeit products still find their way onto shelves in stores and eventually to homes of unsuspecting consumers.

This is due to the fact that counterfeits look exactly like the original product and without signifies to distinguish the two, consumers can easily be fooled into purchasing fake products.

Global trade for the past decade has been characterized by an upward trend which show that there has been an increase in inter-continental trade . This has led to the emergence and flourishing a of black market industry of counterfeit and substandard goods. This has had a negative impact on African economies.

According to the World Economic Forum, globally, counterfeiting accounts for 7-10 % of world trade.  As global trade is on the rise Africa is increasingly being targeted as a destination for counterfeit merchandise .

Due to the unidirectional flow of products from countries of the north to those in the south, third world economies have suffered from the surge of fake products flooding its markets.

Impact of counterfeit  goods on Africa

  • Many governments across the region are losing millions in revenue due to tax evasion by those who use the black market industry when selling counterfeits or when importing them.
  • Counterfeits hurt the image and revenue of legitimate businesses as they try to compete with their copy cats. This usually leads to slumping of sales and eventually being driven out of business
  • Counterfeiting immeasurably contributes to the rate of unemployment. Legit businesses shed their working force in attempt to compete with their imitators and reduce the cost of production.
  • Africans are faced with ample threats to their well being. While buying cheap fake products might seem  to be a rational decision it might end up harming the consumer. Dangers might come from fake medicine, substandard building material or foodstuffs which would put the end user in danger
  • Counterfeit black market industry is impeding African economies from growing and competing at a global level with other world economies

2016 saw most African countries waging a war against counterfeit  products in an attempt to get rid of counterfeit products.

This year in Tanzania, the Communication Regulatory Authority disconnected about ‘630, 000’ fake mobile phones.

In Kenya, anti-Counterfeit Agency nabbed fake Dettol soaps worth 2M in Mombasa on 14 October 2016 according to anti-counterfeit Mombasa Regional Coordinator, Ibrahim Bulle.

“These fake soaps were being sold in residential areas within Mombasa because it is hard to be detected by our officers,

“…Investigations are still ongoing to establish the origin of these soaps that could be toxic to consumer consumption,” said Bulle.

In Uganda, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards raised awareness on the presents of fake Mchuzi royco mix being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

Africa`s war against counterfeits needs the participation of all Africans. Unless Africa unites the battle will take forever and continue to undermine Africa`s growth economically.

 

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