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Red flag over SA food poisoning crisis
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Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has intensified its vigilance on food safety following reports of food poisoning incidents in South Africa, where more than 20 children died and nearly 890 incidents of food-borne illnesses were reported between September and December 2024. With most food products sold in Bulawayo shops being imported from South Africa, concerns about contaminated food have escalated.
Councillor Ntando Ndlovu raised the alarm at a recent council meeting, citing the public health emergency caused by food poisoning in South Africa.
"Food poisoning has become a public health emergency. This situation is worrying because most of the foodstuffs sold in tuckshops are imported from South Africa. What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of residents from consuming contaminated food?" Ndlovu questioned.
In response, councillor Adrian Moyo stated that city health inspectors were on high alert and conducting regular inspections of food outlets to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
According to the council minutes, health director Edwin Sibanda reported that during the month of November 2024, a total of nine intimations were issued for non-compliance with public health laws. These included violations such as operating without valid registration certificates, illegal food carts, and kitchens, as well as failing to meet hygiene standards.
"306 premises were inspected during the month of November 2024 compared to the previous month's 356, with the highest being trading premises (65%), followed by domiciliary visits (22%) and non-trading premises (13%)," the minutes read.
Foods condemned for being unsuitable for human consumption included mixed veggies, mushrooms, cucumbers, various salads, meats such as beef, goat, and lamb, as well as processed products like sausages and tripe.
Preventive measures have been rolled out to monitor the health status of the community, ensuring that potential risks are identified and addressed swiftly.
"Preventive activities to monitor the health status of the community so as to identify potential problems and prevent emergence of risk factors were rolled out. These included premise inspections," the minutes further noted.
The council emphasized that inspections were crucial in maintaining food safety standards, and new shops recommended for licensing were monitored to prevent further health risks.
Councillor Ntando Ndlovu raised the alarm at a recent council meeting, citing the public health emergency caused by food poisoning in South Africa.
"Food poisoning has become a public health emergency. This situation is worrying because most of the foodstuffs sold in tuckshops are imported from South Africa. What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of residents from consuming contaminated food?" Ndlovu questioned.
In response, councillor Adrian Moyo stated that city health inspectors were on high alert and conducting regular inspections of food outlets to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
According to the council minutes, health director Edwin Sibanda reported that during the month of November 2024, a total of nine intimations were issued for non-compliance with public health laws. These included violations such as operating without valid registration certificates, illegal food carts, and kitchens, as well as failing to meet hygiene standards.
"306 premises were inspected during the month of November 2024 compared to the previous month's 356, with the highest being trading premises (65%), followed by domiciliary visits (22%) and non-trading premises (13%)," the minutes read.
Foods condemned for being unsuitable for human consumption included mixed veggies, mushrooms, cucumbers, various salads, meats such as beef, goat, and lamb, as well as processed products like sausages and tripe.
Preventive measures have been rolled out to monitor the health status of the community, ensuring that potential risks are identified and addressed swiftly.
"Preventive activities to monitor the health status of the community so as to identify potential problems and prevent emergence of risk factors were rolled out. These included premise inspections," the minutes further noted.
The council emphasized that inspections were crucial in maintaining food safety standards, and new shops recommended for licensing were monitored to prevent further health risks.
Source - newsday
