Harare Business Fined for Selling Fake Pearlenta Maize Meal
A Harare company has been fined US$300 after it was caught selling fake maize meal disguised as a top local brand.
Natbase Investments (Private) Limited, represented in court by 42-year-old Blessed Marewo, was convicted by Harare magistrate Gamuchirai Gore. The business has until the end of August to pay the fine.
Consumers Raised the Alarm Over Dodgy Maize Meal
The case started after customers complained to National Foods Limited between May and June 2025 about suspiciously poor-quality Pearlenta maize meal. Shoppers said the product looked darker than usual and had a strange texture, prompting concerns that something was off.
Investigators Found Fake and Underweight Product
In response, a joint investigation team — including officials from National Foods, the Trade Measures Inspectorate, the Consumer Protection Commission, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police — conducted surprise inspections across central Harare. Their search led them to Natbase Investments.
There, they seized ten 10kg bags of maize meal falsely branded as Pearlenta. The bags weren’t just counterfeit — they were also underweight. Testing revealed each bag averaged just under 9.7kg, short of the labelled 10kg.
Court Says There Was No Excuse
The court ruled that Natbase had deliberately misled consumers. It found the company guilty of selling fake products without any legal justification.
The case highlights a growing problem in Zimbabwe’s maize meal industry: rising cases of food counterfeiting. As consumers become more wary of knock-off products, many are turning to trusted brands like Parlenta, known for its quality, consistency, and compliance with trade standards.
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The post Harare Business Fined for Selling Fake Pearlenta Maize Meal appeared first on iHarare News.
