HARARE – Prominent Zimbabwean socialite and philanthropist Jackie Ngarande has publicly voiced concern over what she describes as a worrying decline in the quality of Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited (DZL) yoghurt products. Her remarks have sparked widespread discussion among consumers and prompted a swift response from the dairy giant, which has since admitted to a technical fault affecting one of its production machines.
In an open letter addressed to Dairibord and shared widely across social media platforms, Jackie Ngarande expressed deep disappointment at the apparent drop in quality, saying that a brand long trusted by generations of Zimbabwean families was beginning to lose its consistency.
“Over the past few weeks, many of us have noticed that some of the yoghurts being sold are not as fresh or tasteful as they used to be,” she wrote. “In fact, a few seem close to, or possibly past, their expiry date.”
Switching between English and Shona in her post, Jackie Ngarande added with concern:
“Ma yoghurts ari kuvava Dairibord, tine vana vadiki varikuchaya nemayoghurts,”
a statement loosely translated as, “The yoghurts are turning sour, Dairibord — we have young children consuming them.”
The former model and media personality stressed that her intention was not to tarnish the company’s image but to highlight an issue that could pose health risks if left unchecked. She called on the company to urgently investigate its quality control and distribution systems, pointing to possible faults in either production or storage.
“This may be a technical or storage fault,” Jackie Ngarande said. “Dairibord needs to prioritise product monitoring and ensure that storage and distribution processes are closely supervised to maintain freshness and safety.”
She further urged the company to engage directly with its customers and reassure the public of its commitment to high standards.
“We have trusted Dairibord Zimbabwe for consistency, safety, and excellence, but lately, that trust is being shaken,” she said. “We deserve transparency and accountability from a company of your reputation.”
Jackie Ngarande described herself as a long-time and loyal Dairibord customer, noting that she grew up consuming the brand’s products. Her post quickly went viral, with many consumers echoing similar complaints. Others commended her for using her platform to advocate for consumer safety and product quality in a challenging economic environment.
Within 24 hours, Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited issued a public statement acknowledging the complaint and apologising to customers for what it described as an “isolated incident.” The company confirmed that its Quality Assurance team had traced the issue to a malfunction in one of the yoghurt production machines that had affected multiple batches of its Yummy yoghurt brand.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and negative product experience,” the statement read. “Our Quality Assurance team has confirmed an isolated incident on a machine that affected multiple batches, causing an unpleasant product experience.”Dairibord said it had since taken corrective measures to resolve the problem and prevent future occurrences.
Jackie Ngarande Raises Alarm Over Declining Quality of Dairibord Yoghurts
“We are taking the necessary steps to ensure all our products meet the high standards our customers expect from us,” the company added. “We appreciate your loyalty and continued trust in Dairibord Zimbabwe.”
In a gesture of goodwill, the company also thanked Jackie Ngarande for bringing the matter to its attention and invited her to liaise directly with its customer care team to provide more details.
“Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our products and services,” Dairibord said. “We will provide an update on the actions being taken to address this issue.”
The company emphasised that its commitment to quality and food safety remains a cornerstone of its operations and reassured customers that the issue was being handled with urgency.
“Dairibord products go through rigorous safety checks before reaching the market,” the statement continued. “This incident, though regrettable, is not reflective of our usual standards.”
Founded in 1952, Dairibord Zimbabwe Limited is one of the country’s oldest and largest dairy producers, with a product range that includes Pfuko mahewu, Cascade juices, Lyons products, Quickmilk, and Yummy yoghurts. The company, listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, has long prided itself on maintaining consistency and reliability even in the face of economic challenges and raw material shortages.
Despite Dairibord’s quick response, the incident has reignited debate among consumers about product quality in Zimbabwe’s food industry. Many have called for tighter regulatory oversight, regular inspections, and transparent communication between brands and customers.
Marketing experts have also noted that Jackie Ngarande ’s intervention demonstrates the growing power of influencer-led consumer advocacy in the country. Her ability to draw immediate attention from a major corporation underscores the role public figures can play in holding brands accountable.
For Jackie Ngarande , the issue appears to have gone beyond personal frustration. In a follow-up post, she thanked Dairibord for responding promptly and said she hoped the company would continue to engage constructively with consumers.
“I appreciate that Dairibord has taken this seriously,” she said. “My only wish is that we keep our local brands strong by ensuring they always deliver quality. We are proud of Dairibord — but we must also demand the best from it.”
As investigations continue, the incident has become a timely reminder of how quickly consumer trust can be shaken — and how equally swiftly it can be restored through transparency and action.
Source- NehandaRadio
