Farmer arrested for allegedly repackaging and selling rotten & expired food

Farmer arrested for allegedly repackaging and selling rotten & expired food! Authorities in Mpumalanga have arrested a 30-year-old farmer accused of collecting, repackaging, and reselling expired and rotten food to retailers for human consumption.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has described the incident as a serious public health concern, warning that the contaminated food was destined for unsuspecting consumers.

Hawks Uncover Large-Scale Food Tampering Operation

The arrest followed a joint operation by the Hawks’ Secunda-based serious organised crime investigation unit and members of the Charl Cilliers SAPS, who acted on a tip-off from a reliable source.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, detailed how the authorities were led to the farm after receiving intelligence regarding the farmer’s illicit activities.

“According to allegations, the 30-year-old farmer collects expired food from chain stores and other distributors under the auspices of feeding such food to his domestic animals,” Nkosi explained.

However, when authorities arrived at the farm, they discovered something far more sinister. Instead of using the expired food for animal feed, the farmer had allegedly been repackaging and reselling it to unsuspecting retailers.

Authorities Shocked by Large Quantities of Rotten Food

During their inspection of the farm, the Hawks and health inspectors from the Govern Mbeki Local Municipality uncovered two warehouses packed with food unfit for human consumption.

Inside the warehouses, investigators found:

• Four cold rooms filled with expired canned products, rotten red meat, and spoiled chicken.
• About 1,000 crates containing expired dairy products, including cheese.
• Seven freezers filled with repackaged wheat, flour, and maize meal.
• A truck fitted with a cold room, as well as two light delivery vehicles (LDVs)—one loaded with meat and another empty.

Nkosi said the scale of the operation was shocking, with authorities discovering vacuum-sealing equipment, plastic sealers, pricing machines, and stickers—all of which were allegedly used to repackage and relabel expired goods before selling them as fresh products.

Expired Food Meant for Retailers, Not Animals

Investigators confirmed that the expired food was never intended for animal consumption, as the farmer had originally claimed. Instead, it was being processed and sold as fresh food to retail stores and unsuspecting consumers.

Hawks officials suspect that the illegal operation had been running for a long time, posing a severe health risk to the community.

Further Investigations Underway

Authorities are now examining the confiscated delivery vehicles to determine how the food was distributed and whether more businesses or individuals were involved in the scheme.

“An intense investigation will be conducted on the vehicles,” Nkosi stated, suggesting that authorities are looking into possible collusion with retailers who may have knowingly purchased the repackaged expired food.

Hawks Warn of Public Health Dangers

Speaking on the matter, Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Nico Gerber, stressed the serious health risks posed by the repackaged expired food.

“It is a massive blow to the packager, as these products were destined for unsuspecting end users. Food so packaged poses a huge risk to communities,” said Gerber.

Consuming expired food, especially spoiled meat and dairy products, can lead to severe food poisoning, bacterial infections, and even life-threatening illnesses. The presence of vacuum-sealing and repackaging equipment suggests that the expired food was deliberately tampered with to mislead customers.

Community Outrage and Calls for Stricter Food Safety Measures

The case has sparked outrage among members of the public, with many expressing concerns over food safety regulations and enforcement.

Consumers are now questioning whether other unscrupulous individuals may be engaging in similar illegal practices. Many have called on the authorities to conduct more frequent inspections and hold businesses accountable for selling contaminated products.

Food safety experts warn that such practices could be more widespread than initially thought. They urge consumers to be extra cautious when purchasing discounted food items and to always check expiry dates and packaging for signs of tampering.

Possible Charges and Legal Consequences

The arrested farmer is expected to face multiple charges, including:

• Fraud – for deliberately misrepresenting expired food as fresh.
• Food safety violations – for repackaging food unfit for human consumption.
• Endangering public health – for knowingly distributing contaminated food to retailers.

If convicted, he could face severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment. The Hawks have assured the public that any other individuals or businesses found to be complicit in the operation will also face legal action.

Authorities Urge Public to Report Suspicious Activities

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging consumers and retailers to report any suspicious food-related activities.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police or the Hawks’ crime hotline to help prevent further distribution of unsafe food.

The case has once again highlighted the importance of food safety enforcement and the need for greater accountability within the supply chain.