President Daniel Chapo said on Tuesday, 7 July, that the General Inspectorate for Food and Economic Safety must protect consumers by combating smuggling, price speculation and product adulteration that endanger public health — while ensuring that regulatory oversight does not become a tool for intimidating business operators.
Chapo made the remarks during the inauguration ceremony of Shaquila Aboobakar Mahomed, appointed as inspector-general of the institution, and of Célio Goca and Silvestre Micas Panza, sworn in as deputy inspectors-general.
The head of state said the new body must guarantee consumers access to quality products and ensure their rights are upheld. “It is imperative to ensure that consumers have access to quality products, as well as protection against abusive, deceptive or harmful practices that run counter to the interests and rights of the Mozambican people,” Chapo declared.
The president added that the inspectorate should prioritise the prevention and correction of irregularities related to the entry and circulation of non-compliant products, strengthening controls over their origin and distribution chains.
According to Chapo, the institution must also prevent the sale of products unfit for consumption, those past their expiry date, or those posing risks to public health. He further argued that all goods placed on the market must meet standards of quality, hygiene, packaging, storage and commercialisation.
“Consumer protection presupposes 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 conditions of sale,” the president said. He also called for the protection of economic operators acting within the law, warning against unfair competition practices that distort the normal functioning of the market and the Mozambican economy.
The head of state further stressed that the creation of the inspectorate is intended to simplify procedures and facilitate both national and foreign investment. In that context, he warned that inspections should not be used to intimidate companies. “It makes no sense for a business operator to receive inspections every single day,” he said, criticising approaches driven by a “logic of punishment or fine collection” when the primary objective should be to correct irregularities and improve the business environment.
Among the recommendations directed at the new institution, Chapo highlighted the need to intensify inspections at markets, warehouses, factories, supermarkets and restaurants, combining regulatory enforcement with education and awareness campaigns targeting economic operators.
“Strengthen quality controls on locally produced and imported food products,” he urged. The president also called for the creation of mobile brigades to inspect remote areas, the digitalisation of inspectorate activities through a national register of economic and sanitary violations, the introduction of an electronic food traceability system, and stepped-up efforts to combat smuggling, price speculation, counterfeiting, hoarding and product adulteration.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/07/desenvolvimento-2/executivo-defende-que-inspeccao-da-seguranca-alimentar-deve-proteger-consumidores/
