Residents encouraged to report illegal food-handling outlets
The safety of communities depend on authorities being aware of problem areas.
The City of Ekurhuleni will intensify food hygiene and safety inspections at food-handling premises, including spaza shops.
The inspections will be conducted to stamp out the concerning increase of incidents of food-borne illnesses that have mainly affected children in most parts of the country.
“We also encourage the public to be vigilant when purchasing food stuff to safeguard their well-being. Yes, it may be difficult to monitor the young ones, but let us work together to ensure that they are also protected,” says MMC for Development Planning and Real Estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi.
Food-handling premises that are certified by the municipality for compliance with general hygienic requirements normally openly display a food business permit/ licence commonly known as a certificate of acceptability to demonstrate their legitimacy.
“If that certificate is not there, that is a cause for concern,” expands Nkosi.
He encourages non-compliant businesses to come forward and register.
Brakpan residents who wish to report illegal food trading facilities are encouraged to do so through the Brakpan Environmental Health offices on 011 999 8148.
The institution discourages members of the public from taking the law into their own hands. They should rather allow the relevant authorities to deal with the matter.
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