Mpumalanga Executive Council zeroes in on scourge of foodborne illnesses

A total of 365 cases related to the outbreak of foodborne illnesses were recorded in Mpumalanga between May and November.

The Mpumalanga Executive Council (Exco) says it is intensifying measures against the spread of these illnesses. This is according to its spokesperson, Thulasizwe Thomo, when he was addressing the media on Thursday.

Thomo said the Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, convened a sitting of the Exco last Wednesday to discuss a variety of pertinent issues in relation to the development and welfare of the province’s citizens.

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In the previous sitting of the Exco, a decision was made to establish an interdepartmental committee to address this life-threatening matter through a multidisciplinary approach, which is led by the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini

Thomo said the Exco discussed the implementation of an integrated plan in response to the outbreak of foodborne illnesses in the province, in light of the address by the President Cyril Ramaphosa on November 15. “These diseases are commonly caused by the consumption or ingestion of food that is contaminated with infectious organisms or natural toxins, such as those found in poisonous mushrooms. The scourge of foodborne illness is affecting the whole country, and Mpumalanga is equally affected. In the previous sitting of the Exco, a decision was made to establish an interdepartmental committee to address this life-threatening matter through a multidisciplinary approach, which is led by the MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini.”

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He said the committee has developed an integrated response plan to intensify measures to prevent and mitigate foodborne illnesses in the province. He said the plan reinforces surveillance, laboratory investigation and data management, as well as environmental health interventions. “In addition, the plan reinforces business regulation, licensing, land use rights and enforcement, raising community awareness, disaster management co-ordination and the provision of safety and security.”

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Last week, a joint operation, supported by the SAPS, conducted unannounced inspections of shops in the City of Mbombela and the eMalahleni Local Municipality. Thomo said the inspections detected several violations, which included unlabelled, expired and improperly stored food items. These products were confiscated and shops without valid licences were closed. “Exco approved the plan for implementation and expressed commitment to sustain unannounced inspections. The plan will be assessed continuously,” said Thomo.