UNBS confiscates underweight sugar and bread; traders face prosecution

Summary

• UNBS seized 700 bags of underweight sugar in Soroti and underweight bread in Mbarara and Wakiso, prompting prosecution of involved businesses for violating standards laws.

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In response to public complaints, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has taken action against several businesses for distributing underweight goods. In Soroti district, 700 bags of underweight sugar were seized from V.G Keshwala and Sons Limited. UNBS investigations revealed tampering with the packaging material, specifically holes in the inner polyethylene layer of Kakira branded sacks.

Additionally, underweight bread was confiscated from Supa Loaf outlets in Mbarara city and Wakiso district, as well as Jonisa bread from various supermarkets. The management and owners of the implicated businesses are now under scrutiny by UNBS, with prosecution pending for offenses related to possession and distribution of underweight pre-packaged goods.

UNBS emphasized the seriousness of these offenses under the UNBS Act (2013), the Weights and Measures Act, and the Weights and Measures (Sale and Labelling of Goods) (Amendment) Rules (2020). They urged manufacturers, importers, and traders to comply with these regulations and encouraged consumers to demand certified, quality products while reporting any substandard goods to UNBS.

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