The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has concluded the second phase of its national food systems inquiry, focusing on pricing practices and quality standards of major retailers.

The commission's hearings, held from 6 to 10 July 2026, included companies like Woolworths, Pick n Pay, and Shoprite, which faced questions about their pricing strategies and supply chain transparency.Advocacy group Amandla.mobi highlighted Shoprite's alleged disregard for a 20,000-signature petition demanding lower food prices and greater data disclosure.The commission emphasized the urgency of addressing food insecurity, with statistics showing 14 million South Africans affected by hunger.Shoprite's CEO, Pieter Engelbrecht, earned R83-million in 2024, raising questions about corporate responsibility amid rising malnutrition rates.

The SAHRC plans to announce potential investigations into pricing practices and quality control measures, underscoring the intersection of business ethics and human rights in food distribution.