South African retail giant Shoprite has been forced to close five stores in Mozambique for selling old food.
The Mozambican government’s National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) ordered a two-day closure of the stores in Maputo, Boane and Chimoio after they were found to be selling food items past their expiry date.
In a statement the firm said the closures stemmed from the dismissal of an employee.
“The [Shoprite] Group believes that recent inspections and the current closure of five stores stem from a personnel dismissal some weeks ago after a member of management was caught selling expired margarine through the back door,” Shoprite said.
It said it had a “very strict” policy not to sell any product past its expiry date.
