Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) has temporarily closed two shops in Mzimba following an open market surveillance operation that uncovered violations of product quality and hygiene standards.
The shops are Mulawe and Graceland.
Speaking during the operation on Wednesday, MBS Quality Monitoring Officer responsible for inspecting products, services and premises, Blessings Gama, said some shops had improved in cleanliness, hygiene, product stocking and compliance, although challenges remained in others.
He also warned traders against violating quality standards, saying the bureau would continue taking action against non-compliant businesses.
Mulawe Shop owner Limbani Nyirenda said the closure and the fine imposed on his business will create financial difficulties, making it hard to repay loans and outstanding balances owed to suppliers.
During the operation, inspectors also found labelling violations at Sana Supermarket, where some products lacked manufacturing dates, expiry dates and batch numbers.
The affected goods included Go Natural Industry products comprising two 500-gram packets and 21 one-kilogram packets, which were quarantined pending resolution of the issue.
Mulawe Shop was fined more than K400,000, while Bigmart received fines exceeding K900,000.
The three-day surveillance operation covered Mzimba Township, local trading centres and Jenda Trading Centre, targeting imported and locally manufactured goods to ensure compliance with national quality and public health standards.
By Charles Luhanga, MANA
