Counterfeit food products worth millions seized ahead of festive season
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 16, 2025The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has seized 7,500 cartons of fake food preservatives at a warehouse in Shimanzi, Mombasa, in a major blow to counterfeit trade ahead of the festive season. The products, worth millions of shillings, were being repackaged using a local trademark before being distributed to the market.
In a post on X, ACA highlighted the scale of the operation, describing it as a big win in consumer protection. The agency said inspectors acted quickly to prevent the products from reaching consumers during a period of high demand.
“Massive seizure by Insp. of 7,500 cartons of fake food preservatives in Shimanzi Mombasa warehouse. Products worth millions were being repackaged ready for the market using a local Trademark ahead of festive season. Big win in consumer protection!” the post reads.
Health risks
The seizure comes days after the Ministry of Health issued warnings about public health risks during the festive season. Principal Secretary for the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, spoke at the Omogusii O’Nairobi Kisii End-Year Thanksgiving Sabbath on Saturday, December 13, 2025, urging Kenyans to prioritise safety.
Earlier, she also highlighted risks such as food poisoning, uninspected meat, and counterfeit drugs, which often rise during the holidays.
“We are seeing an increase in uninspected meat and counterfeit medicines being pushed into the market to meet growing festive-season demand. I am calling on Kenyans to be extremely careful,” Muthoni said. She also emphasised responsible consumption of alcohol, road safety, and hygiene during social gatherings.
The Mombasa seizure is not the first of its kind this year. In September 2025, ACA, working with police, dismantled a counterfeit cooking oil syndicate in the same city. Investigators impounded 13 trucks carrying fake edible oil worth an estimated Ksh100 million.
Seven people of interest were arrested, and officials traced distribution networks across the country. The operation revealed that leftover products were being repackaged and disguised as legitimate brands, putting consumers at serious risk.
The counterfeit preservatives were ready to enter the market just as demand peaks for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Authorities said the products posed serious health risks, including food contamination and chemical poisoning.