The Lejweleputswa District Municipality’s health department encourages community members to report suspicious activities or products they encounter in spaza shops.
The environmental health practitioners (EHP) of the Lejweleputswa municipality are carrying out frequent and continuous inspections at all spaza shops and with the help of the community, they can help ensure that food sold in spaza shops is safe and genuine.
The rapid growth of spaza or informal shops in South Africa has raised concerns about fake foods within these establishments.
Fake foods, also known as counterfeit or adulterated foods, are products that are intentionally misrepresented or tampered with, posing significant risks to public health and safety.
The dangers of consuming fake foods can have severe consequences on public health, such as toxic chemicals, allergens, or unsanitary ingredients. These pose immediate risks, including food poisoning, allergic reactions and long-term health complications. Counterfeit foods may lack essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition or inadequate dietary intake and spaza shops are located in areas with not enough medical care.
There are limited resources and knowledge among consumers, which worsens the problem. Awareness is needed when buying these products.
The South African Regulation R638 of 2018 for Food Premises sets out the requirements for food premises, including spaza shops, requiring them to maintain hygiene standards, implement food safety practices, and undergo regular inspections.
EHPs play a vital role in enforcing these regulations by conducting inspections, providing guidance to shop owners, and taking appropriate action against those found selling fake foods.
South African Regulation R146 of 2010 for Food Labelling governs the proper labelling of food products, ensuring that consumers have accurate information about the contents, nutritional value, and best before dates. Compliance with this regulation helps consumers make informed choices and reduces the risk of purchasing counterfeit or falsely labelled products; and the South African Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 provides legal safeguards for consumers, including the right to safe and quality goods.
“Consumers should know their rights and take precautions to ensure their safety when purchasing food products, and actively assert their rights by checking labels, supporting reputable suppliers. Reporting suspicious products or practices to relevant EHPs, and supporting reputable suppliers.” said Khaya Mqeke, communication manager for Lejweleputswa.
There is a lot of misunderstanding on the labelling dates of foodstuffs and the legislation governing food labelling. Look out for the date of manufacture or packed date, best before, sell by, and the use by date.
The Department Notice R943 of 2013, issued by the Department of Health following the National Health Act 61 of 2003, provides comprehensive guidelines for EHPs to carry out their duties effectively in ensuring that food premises comply with food safety regulations and that unsafe products are removed from the market.
The norms and standards outlined in the notice cover various aspects of food safety regulations including
requirements for food premises, like the design, construction, and maintenance standards ensuring hygiene in the premises.
EHPs must ensure that food premises have adequate food safety management systems. The notice outlines the frequency of inspections required for different types of food premises.
They must carry out regular inspections to monitor compliance with food safety regulations and take enforcement action against non-compliant food premises, including issuing notices, closing premises or working with law enforcement officials in prosecuting offenders.
