President Daniel Chapo said on Tuesday, July 7, that the General Inspectorate for Food and Economic Safety should protect consumers by combating smuggling, price speculation and product adulteration that threaten public health, while ensuring that inspections do not become a tool for intimidating businesses.
Chapo made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of Shaquila Aboobakar Mahomed, who was appointed Inspector General of the institution, and Célio Goca and Silvestre Micas Panza, who took office as Deputy Inspectors General.
On the occasion, the Head of State said the new institution must ensure that consumers have access to quality products and that their rights are protected.
“It is essential to ensure that consumers have access to quality products, as well as protection against abusive, deceptive or harmful practices that undermine the interests and rights of the Mozambican people,” Daniel Chapo said.
The President added that the General Inspectorate should prioritize the prevention and correction of irregularities related to the importation and circulation of products that fail to meet compliance requirements, while strengthening controls over their origin and distribution channels.
According to Chapo, the institution must also prevent the sale of products that are unfit for consumption, have expired or pose risks to public health. He further stressed that all goods placed on the market should comply with quality, hygiene, packaging, storage and marketing standards.
“Consumer protection requires the promotion of more transparent, balanced and responsible commercial relations, ensuring that citizens have access to information about the products they purchase, including prices, characteristics, quantities, quality and marketing conditions,” the President said.
He also defended the protection of businesses operating within the law by preventing unfair competition practices that distort the normal functioning of the market and the Mozambican economy.
The Head of State also stressed that the creation of the General Inspectorate aims to simplify procedures and facilitate both domestic and foreign investment. In this context, he warned that inspection activities should not be used to intimidate companies.
“It makes no sense for a business operator to be inspected every day,” he said, criticizing an approach based on “the logic of punishment or revenue collection through fines,” when the main objective should be to correct irregularities and contribute to improving the business environment.
Among the recommendations addressed to the new institution, Daniel Chapo highlighted the need to intensify inspections in markets, warehouses, factories, supermarkets and restaurants, while combining enforcement with education and awareness campaigns for economic operators.
“Strengthen quality control of both locally produced and imported food products,” he urged.
The President also called for the creation of mobile inspection teams to monitor remote areas, the digitalization of inspection activities through a national database of economic and sanitary violations and an electronic food traceability system, as well as stronger action against smuggling, price speculation, counterfeiting, hoarding and product adulteration.
Source: Lusa
