Metro, police seize expired food in Temba spaza shop raids

The metro health department, Tshwane metro police (TMPD) and SAPS confiscated and destroyed expired goods during a spaza shops compliance inspection in Hammanskraal, Temba on Tuesday.

Tshwane environmental health inspectors inspected the premises, including food storage areas, preparation spaces for hygiene practices and to identify any potential risk or violation.

Some food items were found to have reached their expiration date and subsequently confiscated and destroyed.

The metro said more inspections will follow until all spaza shops provide safe food products.

Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the inspections were done to enforce public health and safety.

“This is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to ensure the health and safety of its residents by ensuring compliance with food safety regulations,” he said.

Bokaba said this initiative ensures establishments adhere to strict food safety guidelines, to protect the health and well-being of unsuspecting consumers.

He added that the operation was a response to the recent spate of unfortunate incidents involving the alleged consumption of poisonous and expired food, which resulted in the loss of life in Soweto and other parts of Gauteng.

“The health and well-being of the city’s residents are of utmost importance, and the city is committed to taking immediate action to prevent any further incidents of noncompliance to the food safety guidelines.”

To curb the contravention of food safety regulations, Bokaba said, the city will work frequently with law enforcement and food safety experts to identify any potential lapse in the food supply chain.

“The city’s health department, in collaboration with regulatory bodies, will conduct rigorous inspections and audits of spaza shops and other food outlets.”

The City of Tshwane and SAPS take action to ensure food safety in Spaza shops in Themba, Hammanskraal pic.twitter.com/SzFrs9dmij

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) October 24, 2023

He said the inspections will focus on compliance with food safety regulations, proper storage, handling and disposal of food products as well as the regular monitoring of expiration dates.

“Tshwane recognises the importance of educating its residents about food safety practices and other steps to strengthen existing food safety regulations to ensure they are robust and up to date,” Bokaba said.

He said this may include stricter penalties for noncompliance, and improved monitoring systems to detect expired or contaminated food products.

He encouraged residents to report concerns or observations related to food safety in spaza shops to the metro on 012 358 8609/3146/8611.

“The cooperation of the community is vital to maintaining the highest standards of food safety,” he concluded.

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