Department of Health hosts food safety awareness in Thembisa
“Our job is to inspect food production, distribution and consumption. We ensure that handlers are trained and proper hygiene is required for food handlers."
The Department of Health in Gauteng hosted a food safety awareness drive at Mehlareng Stadium on June 21.
The event was divided into education on safely handling food and staying healthy.
The other aspect of the day focused on sports and featured the Golden Games, in which senior citizens participated in football and aerobics.
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The attendees were welcomed by Zanoxolo Futshane, director of primary health care in the City of Ekurhuleni, who opened the event by outlining the importance of the event and how beneficial it would be to those who are into the business of selling food.
Jerry Chaka, divisional head of environmental health service at CoE, discussed the importance of health safety in communities.
“Our job is to inspect food production, distribution and consumption. We ensure that handlers are trained and proper hygiene is required for food handlers.
“We do this to safeguard the health of communities. We also focus on informal food trading to accommodate everyone.
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“We promote safety and precautions from food handlers as they are tasked to ensure that the food prepared is germ-free for the consumers.
“Our job also delves into compliance from the shops and food inspections. We aim to ensure that food distributed within communities is safe,” he said.
Mandla Cebekhulu said his portfolio focuses on helping senior citizens.
“We want to fight for senior citizens; we advocate for the rights of our elders. We gather information on what’s bothering them and submit this to the government.
“We also strive to help senior citizens gain knowledge on social issues that are impactful for them.
“We are worried about the elderly being neglected by the youth by withholding of information, the negligence at households where they are not taken care of properly and the lack of representation by communities to the social workers.”
Sikhonjwe Masilela said the health of business owners and customers is a priority.
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“We have heard from the numerous departments that gathered us here today to guide us about the proper procedures of handling meat.
“We must act accordingly with the health procedures as many lives depend on our businesses daily.
“The greatest part about this event is that we have business owners and the elderly people who will leave this place with a clear mindset on the importance of food safety.”
