GDE implements strict measures to allow food sales within Gauteng schools

Gauteng

Cape Town β€” The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) gave an update on the sale of foods within schools in the province following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement last week.

The GDE announced that all food sold within and around school premises would be suspended amid rising foodborne illnesses in the province, and throughout South Africa.

In a statement, the GDE announced that compliance regulations must be adhered to by all vendors, tuck shops and traders to regulate food sales and ensure all foods are free of harmful substances.

‘To ensure the safety and health of learners in Gauteng school, specific compliance requirements have been introduced to regulate food sales on school premises,” GDE spokesperson, Steve Mabona said.

These regulations include the following:

  • All tuckshops, traders, and vendors must comply with legal requirements, by-laws and food management regulations in order to operate on school premises
  • Unregistered sellers must register with the relevant authorities within 21 days, effective from Friday, 15 November 2024.
  • Vendors operating on school premises are required to obtain a valid Certificate of Acceptability (CoA), as per the Food Stuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act and the General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, Transport of Food, and Related Matters (Regulations No. 638 of 22 June 2018).
  • Districts and schools must ensure that all food vendors within the school premises are in possession of a verified CoA.
  • CoAs must be verified and can be confirmed by an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) at your respective municipal office.

Mabona added that tuck shops and vendors may trade on school premises if they comply with all the requirements after completing certification. SGBs and SMTs are also reminded of their responsibility’s when it comes to ensuring food vendors comply with all rules.

Meanwhile, schools are urged to implement the guidelines strictly and any instance of non-compliance must be reported to the relevant ofices,

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the department remains committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of learners.

β€œSchools, parents, and communities are encouraged to work together to ensure compliance with these measures and maintain a safe learning environment for all,” said Chiloane.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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