26/06/2026
Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has raised alarm over the continued sale of expired and potentially unsafe goods across Malawi, urging consumers to be more vigilant when purchasing everyday products.
The warning comes after recent market inspections revealed a worrying number of expired items being sold in shops across several districts.
According to CFTC spokesperson Innocent Helema, the Commission conducted extensive inspections in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mulanje, Salima, Nkhotakota and Chikwawa, where officers discovered a total of 891 expired products.
Helema said the findings reflect serious negligence by some traders and pose a direct threat to consumer safety if not urgently addressed.
He further said the inspection exercise uncovered a wide range of expired goods, including 101 dairy products, 112 packs of biscuits, 83 packs of noodles and cereals, 178 packets of chewing gum and mints, 172 chocolates and sweets, and 59 snacks and crisps.
In addition, 49 beverages, 38 sauce products and spices and 28 personal care and household items were also found to be past their expiry dates.
The exercise follows a similar operation conducted last week in Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Mzimba, Mzuzu and Kasungu, where 14 shops were found selling 649 expired and uncertified products.
By Chikondi Kuphata