Supermarkets on the spot over product labelling

A survey by The Citizen in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, near the Morocco Square building popularly known as China Town, as well as Mlimani City shopping mall in the city, revealed that many food products lacked labels in Kiswahili or English.

This contravenes existing regulations set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), which require essential product information to be in a language understood by consumers.

According to TBS, product labelling must comply with national standards, specifically TZS 538:2015, which mandates that pre-packaged food products should be labelled in English or any other official language used within the East African Community (EAC). The government has reiterated that selling products without labels in widely spoken languages violates both local and international laws.

TBS director general Ashura Katunzi said all imported products must meet labelling requirements before entering the market.

“TBS recognises the presence of foreign communities in Tanzania and understands that products may be marked with specific cultural parameters. However, these products must still meet essential labelling requirements,” she said.

Dr Katunzi added that TBS inspectors conduct market surveillance and legal action is taken against violators, particularly for products that cannot be corrected with supplementary labels, such as infant formula.

The issue is not just regulatory but also affects consumers directly. Shoppers at supermarkets reported difficulties in identifying products due to the language barrier. Some resorted to using mobile translation applications, while others abandoned their purchases entirely.

A shopper at Mlimani City, Ms Neema Mwakyusa, said, “I wanted to buy candy and chocolate for my daughter, but I couldn’t understand the labels. I was unable to check the flavour, expiration date, or whether it contained ingredients I needed to avoid.”

A shop assistant at one of the China Town supermarkets, who requested anonymity, admitted to struggling with the language barrier himself.

“Many customers ask about the ingredients, but I can’t always help because I don’t understand the labels either,” he said.

Industry and Trade deputy minister Exaud Kigahe acknowledged the issue, stating that imported products must adhere to labelling laws.

“If there are such products, it means they violate both national and international laws. Consumers must know what they are using and what the product contains; otherwise, those products would be considered smuggled,” he said.

However, Mr Kigahe also noted that exceptions might exist for products sold in culturally specific settings, such as restaurants catering to specific communities.

“This does not apply to goods sold in public supermarkets. Products in the general market must have labels in Kiswahili or English to ensure consumer safety and informed decision-making.”

A Chinese manager at one of the supermarkets in China Town, who declined to be named, acknowledged the concerns but defended the practice.

“This supermarket is for all customers, not just Chinese, and I am aware of the language issue. But we follow what our colleagues are doing. I know some companies have struggled to run supermarkets and are envious of us,” he said.

The rapid growth of Chinese investment in Tanzania, particularly in the retail sector, has led to increased competition in the supermarket industry. However, the expansion has also exposed regulatory gaps in law enforcement, raising questions about whether authorities are keeping up with the pace of foreign business operations.

While foreign investments are welcomed as a boost to Tanzania’s economy, concerns persist that inconsistent enforcement of laws may create unfair advantages for foreign businesses. Local traders argue that they must adhere to strict regulatory standards, whereas some foreign-owned supermarkets appear to bypass them without facing consequences.

Mr Kigahe assured that the government is committed to fair competition. “Before any product enters the local market, the importer must submit samples for review by regulatory bodies. We will send a team to investigate and take appropriate action,” he said.

As Chinese supermarkets continue to expand across Tanzania, the government faces growing pressure to ensure that investment growth does not come at the expense of consumer rights and fair business practices.