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The government has intensified its nationwide crackdown on counterfeit products, with authorities seizing thousands of fake alcohol bottles and dismantling illegal production networks in Dar es Salaam as part of efforts to protect consumers and legitimate businesses.
Presenting the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s 2026/27 budget estimates in Parliament in Dodoma on Friday, Judith Kapinga said special operations conducted by the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) had led to the confiscation of 4,251 bottles of counterfeit alcohol by April 2026.
The operations also resulted in the seizure of 286 empty bottles and 250 empty cartons suspected to have been used in repackaging fake alcoholic products for sale in the market.
Ms Kapinga told lawmakers that enforcement teams recovered a range of equipment linked to the manufacture and packaging of counterfeit goods, including label-printing machines, alcohol measuring devices, bottle-capping machines, weighing scales, ethanol and blending and filtering tools.
She said investigations had further uncovered the circulation of counterfeit spare parts and lubricants, with suspects subjected to legal action in accordance with the law.
“The government’s strategy in addressing counterfeit products is centred on strengthening intelligence-led investigations, carrying out inspection and seizure operations, and taking stern legal measures against those involved,” the minister said.
The latest crackdown comes amid growing concern over the impact of counterfeit goods on public safety, government revenue and the competitiveness of genuine manufacturers.
Counterfeit alcohol, in particular, has remained a major challenge due to the health risks posed to consumers, while fake industrial products such as spare parts and lubricants continue to threaten the transport and manufacturing sectors.
The government has in recent years expanded surveillance and enforcement measures through the FCC and other regulatory agencies as part of broader efforts to improve market standards, enhance consumer protection and promote fair competition in Tanzania’s economy.
