The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has warned consumers to be on high alert for counterfeit Nivea and Huletts sugar products after recent seizures across the country.
Fake products, including Nivea cosmetics and Huletts sugar, are reportedly being sold during night vending and sometimes in broad daylight, with vendors targeting busy streets and markets.
In a recent interview with The Herald, CPC Board Chairperson Respina Zinyanduko said counterfeiters were now targeting well-known brands.
“Recent seizures of counterfeit Huletts sugar and Eversharp pens, as well as fake Nivea and Shield Sheen products, show that even well-known brands are being targeted by counterfeiters,” Zinyanduko said.
Other brands seized in recent blitzes include Shield Sheen and Eversharp pens.
Since January 2026, the CPC has prosecuted 1,615 businesses nationwide following 12,105 inspections conducted between January and July. The inspections resulted in 1,615 prosecution notices and 925 compliance notices.
Of the prosecutions, the sale of expired goods was the highest offence at 572 cases, followed by failure to display prices at 471. Non-issuance of receipts accounted for 26 violations.
CPC said several retail outlets operating from glass-partitioned shops are neither displaying prices nor issuing receipts, leaving consumers vulnerable to exploitation.
Six national enforcement blitzes have been conducted so far this year targeting counterfeit goods, expired products and improper labelling, with 31 cases referred to other regulators in July alone.
The Commission said it is working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), City Health Departments, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and manufacturers including Lobels and the Dairy Board to curb smuggling and counterfeiting.
Zinyanduko urged consumers to check packaging carefully before buying, particularly for fast-moving goods.
“Consumers should look out for valid expiry dates, full supplier details and warning labels. Be wary of unusually cheap or unbranded goods, especially cooking oil, sugar, mealie-meal, milk, matemba and snacks sold loose or in unmarked packaging,” she said.
She added that familiar household brands sold at suspiciously low prices or with slightly altered packaging should also be treated with caution.
She advised consumers to report suspected counterfeit, expired or illegally repackaged products to the CPC on toll-free numbers Econet 080 803 23 and NetOne 080 123 01.
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