Players wary of product counterfeits

The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Consumer Association of Malawi (Cama) say the growing circulation of counterfeit and substandard goods is eroding consumer confidence and distorting fair competition. Speaking in an interview, CFTC spokesperson Innocent Helema said the proliferation of fake, expired and uncertified p roducts i s e x p o s i ng consumers to safety risks while disadvantaging compliant businesses. He said traders offering genuine, quality-assured products are increasingly forced to compete against cheaper counterfeit alternatives, creating an uneven playing field.

“Products that consumers do not trust often remain on shelves, affecting business performance and weakening the efficiency of the market,” Helema said, adding that consumer confidence is key to driving spending, supporting local enterprises and fostering innovation. On his part, Cama executive director John Kapito said the influx of counterfeit goods across sectors such as food, medicines and electrical products continues to expose consumers to serious health, safety and economic risks. He said weak market inspection and monitoring, despite the presence of multiple regulatory bodies, have allowed unsafe products to persist, further undermining consumer trust.

Said Kapito: “Consumer confidence regarding quality products and services has reduced to its lowest since most of those institutions charged with providing oversight and supervision have neglected their responsibilities. “These challenges undermine the right of consumers to access safe, quality and dignified care services which are a critical public service and consumers deserve dignified and respectful treatment.”