President addresses food safety concerns in South Africa amid dramatic food safety situations

Almost 900 foodborne disease incidents have been recorded, and 22 children have died across South Africa since September.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said there had been 890 reported incidents of foodborne illness across all provinces since the beginning of September. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have been the most affected, with Limpopo, Free State, and Mpumalanga recording dozens of incidents.

Six children died in October after being poisoned in Naledi, Soweto. The deaths were attributed to a hazardous chemical used as a pesticide. Terbufos is an organophosphate registered in South Africa for agricultural use but cannot be sold to general households. However, it is being sold for domestic use in townships and informal settlements to control rats. A chip packet found on one of the children who died had traces of Terbufos on the inside and outside of the pack.

Ramaphosa speaks to South Africans.

In an address to the nation, Ramaphosa said there has been a rise in cases of foodborne illness and deaths across the country.

“Several people are becoming severely ill and even dying after eating contaminated food. It has been found that some of the food items would have been purchased from spaza shops and street vendors,” he said.

“Few words can adequately convey our sadness and pain as a nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they go through the pain and anguish of losing their children. The young children who died weren’t just children of their families. They were our children.

“Our people have every right to be upset and angry in the face of such tragedies. At a time like this, we need to unite as a country and work together to end these deaths. We must do what it takes to make sure such tragedies never happen again.”

Detectives from the South African Police Service, health officials, environmental inspectors, Department of Agriculture staff, and officials from the National Consumer Commission are investigating the incidents.

Inspection findings

Samples have been taken from 84 spaza shops in the Naledi area. Three have evidence of Terbufos, plus other illegal pesticides have been seized. An initial phase of inspections of all spaza shops, tuck shops, and other informal traders will last one month.

Inspectors found food being stored alongside pesticides and detergents. They also discovered that some spaza shops lacked proper safe food storage and hand and dishwashing facilities, increasing the likelihood of food contamination. Shops implicated in the deaths of children will be closed.

All spaza shops and other food handling facilities have three weeks from Nov. 15 to register within the municipalities in which they operate. Any shop that is not registered after this period and does not meet all health standards and requirements will be closed. Non-compliant businesses linked to any poisoning incidents or found to stock hazardous chemicals unlawfully will be shut down.

Local governments are responsible for environmental health, but many municipalities lack the capacity and resources to inspect businesses and enforce regulations.

All registered manufacturers of Terbufos will be inspected to ensure that no products are diverted into the non-agricultural market. The supply chain for distribution and sale will be investigated to ensure that controls are being followed. Regulations on the traceability, repackaging, destruction, and sale of pesticides, insecticides, and foodstuffs will be strengthened.

Ramaphosa said parents also have a role to play in protecting children.

“As consumers and parents, if we buy food or send our children to buy food, it must only be from places that are licensed to sell foodstuffs and that observe food safety regulations,” he said.

“We must check that food is prepared in a clean and hygienic area. We must make sure that foodstuffs being sold have clear branding and labels and that they are not past their sell-by date.

We must educate our children about food safety and teach them to check for this labeling themselves. Anyone who sees fake and expired foodstuffs sold in our communities should report them to the National Consumer Commission.”

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/president-addresses-food-safety-concerns-in-south-africa-amid-dramatic-food-safety-situations/