Ekurhuleni warns public about counterfeit and expired food

The City of Ekurhuleni alerts the public about the potential health risks of purchasing tainted and expired food items.

This is in the midst of social media videos becoming viral in showing various stores, mostly unofficial vendors, selling these goods. To put an end to the practice, the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the city have increased food safety and hygiene inspections at food handling facilities.

The city advises people to purchase food only from establishments with a Certificate of Acceptability. Only after inspections and verification that the location satisfies all food safety regulations is this certificate granted.

It is displayed in the shop for all to see or produced on demand if not displayed.

They encouraged public reporting of food goods sold as outdated or counterfeit, as well as food sold with their packaging removed or altered. Environmental health professionals can be reached at the city’s customer service centres.

Additionally, the public is discouraged from examining and seizing goods from stores in the position of an EHP. According to the Health Professions Conduct, 56 of 1974, no one is allowed to practise any conduct that is thought to be related to a health profession that is registerable, such as environmental health.

Customers need to understand the meaning of the date stamps on the merchandise.

‘Best before’ or ‘best before end’ date of minimal durability refers to the date that marks the end of the time under any specified storage condition that the product will continue to be completely marketable and keep any specific features for which claims have been made.

The product might still be good after the date. It also helps store owners by offering assistance with product rotation on the shelf. Stated differently, to implement the ‘first-in, first-out’ (FIFO) principle these foods may be sold for human consumption and don’t need to be removed from the shelves.

‘Sell by’ refers to the final day of the offer to sell to the customer, following which there is still a fair amount of time for storage at home.

Food that has passed its expiration date or display date needs to be taken off the shelves and cannot be sold to the public for human consumption.

‘Use by’ refers to the date that designates the end of the estimated period under the specified storage circumstances, after which the food should no longer be viewed as marketable since it is likely to lack the quality features consumers typically demand.

These foods must removed from the shelves and never again be offered for sale to the public for human consumption.

The foods listed below are not subject to date markings:

• Alcoholic beverages as defined by Act 60 of 1989, the Liquor Product Act

• Gum chewing

• Confections made from sugar that has been coloured or flavouring

• Fresh vegetables and fruits that haven’t been processed or peeled

• Processed meat items without prepackaging, such as biltong and dried sausages

• Ready-to-eat confections made using flour, as long as the manufacturing date is marked on the label or close to the product’s display

• Sugars

• Vinegar

Residents may lodge their complaints regarding the selling of unsound and unsatisfactory food products at the following environmental health offices:

Boksburg and Vosloorus: 011 999 5407

Alberton: 011 999 2970

Tsakani/Duduza: 011 999 8200

Kempton Park: 011 999 6461

Benoni and Daveyton: 011 999 6431

Brakpan: 011 999 8148

Springs and Kwa-Thema: 011 999 9001

Nigel: 011 999 6663

Edenvale: 011 999 3335

Alberton and Germiston: 011 999 0347/8 or 011 999 5737 or 011 999 0530

Katlehong 1 and 2 and Thokoza: 011 999 2347/8 or 011 999 2466.