Health



CFTC allays health fears over Shoprite cereals amid recall

By Kondwani Nyondo

Health reporter 

The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has moved to calm public anxiety following a voluntary recall of cereal products manufactured by Heartland Foods.

The concerns follows the order for voluntary recall of several popular cereal products supplied to other major retailers in Malawi  by Shoprite.

ShopRite products




In a statement dated 20 March 2025 Shoprite cited misleading nutritional labels that may pose "serious health risks" especially to individuals living with diabetes.

But in an interview CFTC communications officer  Innocent Helema said there was no need to panic as no complaint was raised.

He said that the products were withdrawn as a precaution, following alerts from the National Consumer Commission (NCC) of South Africa, which revealed discrepancies between the actual contents and the claims printed on cereal packaging.

he said: “There is no confirmed health incident in Malawi linked to these products. However, the recall is a safety-first measure aimed at protecting consumers.”

However, health experts and the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) are urging CFTC to disclose exact dispatch and shelf-life dates, arguing that the lack of such details limits consumer awareness about which batches may pose a risk.

Speaking to Mij express Cama president John Kapito said the recall should have made sense if a date on which the products were entered malawi was revealed.

" Consumers need clarity—did the affected cereals arrive last week, last month, or six months ago? Without this, the public is left guessing,” said Kapito.

On his part George Jobe said the date were crucial in informking its consumers of the dates they arrived in the country.

he said: " if you look at the dates from Shoprite in South Africa, it shows the recall was made on 20 March and in Malawi the recall was made two weeks later which raises a lot of fears. It happen many people have already consumed," he said.

The affected products include corn flakes,bran,instant oats, multi Grain Flakes, crunchy Flakes, wheaty flakes, granola.

According to CFTC consumers are urged to return any of the listed products to their nearest supermarket for a full refund—even if the product is opened or proof of purchase is unavailable.






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