IFP OUTRAGED BY MEAT LABEL SCANDAL

The IFP says it is outraged by the extent of the mislabelling of meat products, which leads to the public consuming meats they did not intend to.

The IFP said this in reaction to details that have emerged with regard to a "meat-label scandal" published by today's City Press, which also named household-name retail brands as culprits in this unfortunate practice (see here).

IFP Deputy National Spokesperson, Joshua Mazibuko said, "The IFP is outraged by the extent of the incorrect labelling and "contamination" of meat products. Worse, among the retailers named are some of the biggest, which services millions of South Africans. It is frightening to learn from Stellenbosch University Prof Louw Hoffman that the 'mislabelling of processed meats products is commonplace in South Africa. '"

To think that almost on daily basis South Africans are made to consume meats, which some would ordinarily reject for religious, cultural, ethical and health reasons, is frightening. This is the worst form of disservice to them, and a violation of their democratic rights.

"While we have no evidence to prove that retailers do this deliberately, or for selfish reasons, we are still appalled that it does take place to this extent. The advancement of cross-contamination, as a cause thereof, is not acceptable for it suggests negligence which - if not urgently dealt with - may put the lives of people at risk.

"It is also disturbing to learn that 'leading retailers this week generally welcomed the research and indicated that they were taking steps to ensure that they will, in future, fully comply with the law prescribing the labelling of their products'. This begs the question: did they not comply fully with the law all this time?"

Mazibuko concluded, "We call on both the government and retailers to urgently, and seriously commit, to taking the necessary steps to stamp out this malpractice and to ensure that the public, never again, find itself in this situation."

Statement issued by M. Joshua Mazibuko, IFP Deputy National Spokesperson, April 14 2013

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