Tshwane urges residents to be vigilant about food safety
The city is appealing to members of the public to report any illegal activity related to the manufacturing, preparation, repackaging or selling of any food product to Tshwane health services
Tshwane has vowed to intensify raids on illegal spaza shops and businesses that sell expired or contaminated food products.
It also called on residents to be vigilant when buying and consuming food from spaza shops.
The raids followed after children died or fell sick after allegedly consuming food products purchased from spaza shops in different areas across the province.
The joint team of environmental health practitioners, metro police (TMPD), building inspectors and emergency services was led by MMC for health Rina Marx, MMC for community safety Grandi Theunissen and TMPD chief Yolande Faro.
Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said since the intensification of the raids, several businesses across the city had been issued with prohibition orders.
He said the orders meant the businesses could not operate until they complied with city health by-laws.
“Some of the businesses received fines for failure to produce a certificate of acceptability, effective pest control measures, adequate protection of food against spoilage and contamination as well as unhygienic handling of food on the premises,” he said.
According to Regulation R638 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972), vendors are restricted from storing, transporting, preparing or selling any food without a certificate of acceptability.
Bokaba said selling foodstuffs without a compliance certificate is illegal.
“The person in charge of the food shop must be trained in the principles and practices of food safety and hygiene.”
He said community involvement in the fight against the sale of unsafe food products by spaza shops or wholesalers, is crucial.
“The city is appealing to members of the public to report any illegal activity related to the manufacturing, preparation, repackaging or selling of any food product to Tshwane health services on 012 358 4656/8609/3146/8611 or 3218.”
He further urged residents to be observant when buying food to ensure it is fresh and not past its sell-by date.
Tshwane urges its residents to be vigilant about food safety. pic.twitter.com/b3WB93CokT
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) November 22, 2023
Safe practices for parents and learners:
– Children should be restricted from selling foods and snacks.
– Children should only buy snacks and food from the approved school tuck shop.
– The health department advises against buying snacks or food from vendors outside the school perimeter.
– Parents should provide children with nutritious lunchboxes to prevent them from obtaining food from external sources.
Verify best-before dates:
The best-before date refers to the freshness. It tells you how long the product will be at its best flavour and quality.
Beyond this date, food may still be perfectly satisfactory.
Report suspicious food products:
– Do not buy food that is mouldy, fermented or discoloured.
– Report any suspicious food or food source to the health authorities.
– Report any suspected illegal activity related to the manufacture, preparation, repackaging or selling of any food or foodstuffs to the Tshwane health services.
Examine the packaging of food items
– Do not buy food items with broken or damaged packaging.
– If the can is dented or leaking, do not purchase it.
– Avoid expired food or food with tampered labels.
– If you do not understand the language on the packaging, do not buy the product.
– All food items must contain at least two of the official languages. If this is in a foreign language, the food item is illegal.
– If the price of a food item is very low, the quality and possibly the safety thereof will be at risk.
Safe preparation of food
– always wash fruit and vegetables
– do not cross-contaminate food and separate raw and cooked food
– keep food at safe temperatures
– prepare food on a clean surface
– wash cutting boards and countertops with hot soapy water after cutting meat
– sanitise cutting boards with a solution of water and bleach
– keep cooking surfaces clean
– use clean and safe water when cooking.
Bokaba said the city assured the residents that it will continue with its joint operations to ensure that only safe food products that are fit for consumption are sold to its members of the community.
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