Cape Town – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has revealed that food contamination issues are more widespread than just at spaza shops, following the tragic deaths of six children in Soweto after consuming contaminated snacks.
The contamination was linked to terbufos, a pesticide.
According to EWN, responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday Motsoaledi pointed out that municipalities were largely responsible for food inspections, but many lacked sufficient health inspectors, with Johannesburg having only 80 for its vast area.
“I can assure you that there are very few municipalities who hire inspectors as per the act. The Johannesburg city where most of these issues are, has got only 80 health inspectors. That’s a droplet compared to the size of that city, and what needs to be done. Others don’t even have one, and that’s the problem the country needs to solve, and we are busy with solutions for that,” the report quoted the minister as saying.
He emphasised the need for municipalities to adopt new by-laws to regulate spaza shops, while also acknowledging the limitations of existing laws in conducting wide market inquiries.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town authorities and police arrested five people in connection with an unlicensed food manufacturing operation in Mfuleni, SABC reported.
After receiving a tip-off, authorities discovered sausage being processed and packaged in unsanitary conditions, posing a significant health risk to consumers, the report said.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, revealed that the owner and four employees may be in the country illegally.
Forensic testing on the facility’s products was ongoing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
