Dairibord Faces Scrutiny Over Reported Yogurt Quality Concerns

Dairibord Zimbabwe faces public backlash after socialite Jackie Ngarande raised yogurt freshness concerns (image source)

Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited (DZL), one of the country’s largest dairy producers, is facing mounting consumer concern after socialite and philanthropist Jackie Ngarande publicly alleged a decline in the freshness and taste of its yogurt range.

The appeal, published on her verified social-media pages over the weekend, has sparked wider debate over food safety, supply-chain integrity and corporate accountability in Zimbabwe’s processed-foods sector.

In her open letter, Ngarande said “many yogurts on shelves are not as fresh or tasteful as they used to be, and some seem close to, or possibly past, expiry date.” She cited off-flavours, texture changes and bulging containers that could indicate poor storage or fermentation failure. “Mayogurts ari kuvava Dairibord, tine vana vadiki varikuchaya nemayogurts,” Ngarande warned, urging immediate corrective measures.

Dozens of consumers echoed similar complaints on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, tagging @DairibordZW and calling for refunds or quality checks. Several retail workers in Harare’s central business district confirmed off-record that they had returned select batches to suppliers “after noticing unusual packaging expansion.”

Food-processing experts mentioned that the issues described may stem from temperature control lapses or production-line inconsistencies. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines, dairy products require continuous cold storage between 2°C and 6°C from factory to retail display. A brief break in this “cold chain” can accelerate bacterial activity, producing sour notes or swollen containers.

“Even a short period of poor refrigeration during distribution can compromise product integrity,” said a Harare-based food scientist who requested anonymity. The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Food Safety Division told media last month that it is stepping up random inspections of processed dairy products following similar consumer alerts. Spoilt yogurt can cause stomach discomfort, allergic reactions and, in severe cases, food-borne illness — especially in children, a key consumer group for the brand.

As of Monday, Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited had not issued an official statement on its verified social-media platforms or website. However, company insiders told reporters that an internal audit of production lines and logistics partners was “already underway.”

Ngarande urged the firm to “acknowledge the inconsistencies publicly, share independent test results, and outline preventive steps,” warning that silence could erode consumer trust built over decades. Dairibord, listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, commands a major share of the national dairy market, producing brands including Lyons, Cascade, and Fun ‘n’ Fresh. Analysts say even isolated quality lapses can dent market confidence and export potential.

According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), dairy contributes about US$45 million annually to formal manufacturing output, but rising energy costs and erratic refrigeration infrastructure continue to pose systemic risks. Experts recommend Dairibord implement real-time monitoring systems for temperature and pH levels, strengthen third-party quality inspections, and launch a consumer feedback hotline for rapid complaint resolution.