Govt tightens fight against counterfeit spirits
DAR ES SALAAM: THE government is intensifying its crackdown on counterfeit and substandard spirits to protect compliant manufacturers from unfair competition and safeguard consumers from unsafe alcoholic beverages.
Industry and Trade Minister Judith Kapinga announced the tougher enforcement stance during a meeting with spirits manufacturers in Dar es Salaam on Monday, following concerns raised by industry operators over the proliferation of illicit drinks.
Ms Kapinga instructed all producers to strictly adhere to statutory requirements governing factory operations, emphasising that products must meet mandatory quality, hygiene and safety standards.
“Producers must ensure their products meet required standards of quality, hygiene and consumer safety,” she said.
The government’s heightened surveillance aims to level the playing field for legitimate manufacturers, whose market share and profit margins are routinely eroded by illicit operators who bypass regulatory compliance, evade taxes, and undercut prices.
Beyond economic losses, illicit and counterfeit spirits pose severe public health risks, underscoring the need for aggressive field inspections and consumer education.
To address this, Ms Kapinga said the ministry will launch targeted public awareness campaigns to help consumers distinguish genuine alcoholic products from counterfeit ones at retail points.
She called for a multistakeholder approach involving regulators, manufacturers, traders and the public, noting that illicit trade cannot be eradicated without close industry cooperation and public vigilance.
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The policy push aligns with broader government efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing, protect tax revenue and foster a predictable business environment for compliant investors.
For formal spirits producers, robust market cleanup is expected to curb illicit trade, rebuild consumer trust, and incentivise investment in formal manufacturing, branding and distribution networks.
However, industry stakeholders also highlighted the need to balance stricter enforcement with manageable compliance costs to preserve the competitiveness of compliant local distilleries.
Ms Kapinga assured manufacturers that while the government will enforce strict legal and operational compliance, it remains committed to fostering a fair, supportive and competitive environment for legitimate enterprise.
