Residents encouraged to report illegal food-handling outlets
The safety of communities depend on authorities being aware of problem areas.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) will intensify food hygiene and safety inspections at food-handling premises, including spaza shops.
They will conduct inspections to address the alarming rise in food poisoning cases, particularly among children nationwide.
“We encourage the public to be vigilant when purchasing foodstuff to safeguard their well-being.
“It may be difficult to monitor the young ones, but let us work together to ensure their protection,” says MMC for Development Planning and Real Estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi.
Food-handling premises 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, encouraging non-compliant businesses to register.
Anyone may report illegal food trading facilities at the Nigel Environmental Health offices on 011 999 6663.
The CoE discourages the public from taking the law into their own hands and lets the relevant authorities deal with the matter.
