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Woolworths launches own probe into counterfeit pilchardsRetailer Woolworths has launched its own investigation into a counterfeit operation involving canned pilchards. ![]() Source: www.iol.co.za Last week, the South African Police Service revealed that crime intelligence officers had raided a facility on Eland Street in Daleside, Sedibeng, during which they seized a large quantity of counterfeit canned pilchards and printing equipment used to alter expiration dates. Workers had relabelled expired pilchards from 2021/22 with fake 2026 dates. Seven undocumented migrants were arrested by police in Gauteng during the raid. The retailer, in a statement, said it was aware of the recent police investigation into the discovery of a counterfeit operation involving canned pilchards in Woolworths-branded cartons found in a facility in Gauteng. Woolworths is aware of the recent SAPS investigation into the discovery of a counterfeit operation involving canned pilchards in Woolworths-branded cartons, found in a facility in Gauteng. As the police investigation proceeds, it remains unclear whether some of the large quantity of the counterfeit Lucky Star pilchards made it to informal spaza shops on the back of growing food-borne diseases. |