Counterfeit pilchards cause a stir in South Africa

Seafood specialist Oceana Group and retailer Woolworths have distanced themselves from a case of counterfeit Lucky Star canned pilchards in Gauteng, South Africa.

Both companies have said they had nothing to do with a scam uncovered by South African police in which workers at a facility in Daveyton were found relabeling cans of expired Lucky Star fish, which could pose a health risk to consumers.

Local media reports suggest that an international manufacturer produced the canned pilchards under the Woolworths’ brand, but the retailer rejected the consignment.  It is suspected that the shipment was collected and subsequently mislabeled with counterfeit Lucky Star packaging before being repacked in  Woolworths boxes. Seven undocumented migrants aged between 18 and 29 were arrested during the operation.

Oceana has confirmed the cans were counterfeit, noting discrepancies in the packaging including the use of ring-pull lids, which it does not use on its Lucky Star branded products.