Metro urges businesses to comply with health regulations
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo says food premises must comply with Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, which governs general hygiene requirements for food premises and transportation of food.
In a move to safeguard public health, the Tshwane metro has issued a stern reminder to food businesses to adhere to rules and keep their Certificate of Acceptability (COA) on display.
A COA is a critical document demonstrating compliance with health and hygiene regulations.
According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, food outlets must comply with Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, which governs general hygiene requirements for food premises and transportation.
“Businesses must meet strict requirements to obtain the COA,” Mashigo said.
“This includes submitting supporting documents such as zoning certificates, approved building plans, IDs, vehicle registration numbers, pest control reports, and proof of basic training for food handlers.”
Mashigo said additional requirements apply to meat processing plants and butcheries, including proof of training for all food handlers in cleaning procedures for meat-related equipment.
He said by displaying their COA, food businesses demonstrate their commitment to food safety.
“When a business is found not complying, the city issues compliance notices,” he said.
According to Mashigo, CoAs are checked regularly during inspections and joint operations at food premises.
He saidt the certificate does not have a validity date.
However, renewal is required if there is a change to legislation, person in charge, layout or structural condition, and types of food stuff sold.
“If a prohibition order was issued, a new certificate must be issued.”
Mashigo said residents can report any concerns or non-compliance to Municipal Health Services.
The numbers are follows:
– Region 1: 012 358 4656
– Region 2: 012 358 3273
– Region 3: 012 358 6979
– Region 4: 012 358 3651
– Region 5: 012 358 1533
– Region 6: 012 358 7179
-Region 7:012 358 7179
Residents are also urged to be vigilant and avoid purchasing food items with:
– Broken, torn, or damaged packaging
– Dented, bulging, or leaking cans
– Labels that have been tampered with or repackaged food
– Unfamiliar language on packaging.
Recently, Tshwane metro police arrested 20 people, included 17 undocumented immigrants, and confiscated expired foods from businesses.
Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), together with other stakeholders, conducted by-law enforcement operations targeting businesses in Garsfontein and Laudium, Centurion on October 30.
“In Region 4, multiple businesses were inspected for compliance, and 14 were found in violation of municipal by-laws and nine business owners were issued with opportunity to rectify notices.
“Furthermore, a total of 30 Section 56 notices were issued to non-compliant businesses, amounting to R57 500, and several expired items, including food products, were confiscated.”
The operation also resulted in the arrest of 20 foreign nationals, 17 of whom were undocumented immigrants, while three were arrested for violating the Employment Services Act, 2014 (Act 4 of 2014).
Mahamba said these operations were aimed at ensuring that all businesses comply with the relevant regulations and by-laws.
He said on October 29, the TMPD conducted by-law operations around Tshwane.
The operations were aimed at tackling the issue of small businesses that do not comply with the Businesses Act, 1991 (Act 71 of 1991), which is stressed as a persistent problem in the city.
“A by-law operation was conducted in Hammanskraal, in Kanana and Themba. The operation was a success and produced great results where one undocumented foreign national was arrested and eight Section 56 infringement notices were issued for businesses trading without a licence.”
Meanwhile in Region 6 in Mamelodi, another by-law operation was conducted focusing on business compliance. The operation successfully produced good results corroborated by 16 spaza shops being visited and inspected.
Among the shops visited, nine were closed down. A total of 21 Section 56 infringement notices were issued to businesses that did not comply. During the operation, 15 illegal immigrants were arrested.
These operations are crucial as they help clamp down on businesses selling counterfeit and expired goods to ensure the safety of the community.
“In a separate incident on the same day in Atteridgeville, TMPD members arrested a spaza shop owner for bribery during a by-law operation. Members were conducting a by-law operation for business trading compliance when a shop owner offered them a bribe, and the suspect was arrested for bribery and the shop was closed.”
He said the TMPD was determined to ensure adherence to the law and to enforce it without fear or favour on any business or individual in contravention of the law.
“The TMPD is determined to enforce by-laws to protect consumers from consuming potentially harmful products and to ensure that businesses are operating legally and safely.”
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