News / National
Insiza RDC bans selling of food at risky sites
2 hrs ago |
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The Insiza Rural District Council (RDC) has enacted strict new by-laws aimed at tightening hygiene standards in the preparation and sale of food, following the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (SI) 133 of 2025. The new regulations prohibit the preparation, manufacture, storage, or sale of food in environments deemed to pose a health risk to consumers.
According to the SI, no food may be prepared, manufactured, stored, deposited, sold, or exposed for sale in or on any premises where the condition, situation, or construction exposes it to contamination. The council said all food-related activities must be conducted only from premises approved by the local authority.
The by-law also sets out detailed hygiene requirements for all food handlers, mandating that every person who sells, prepares, or stores food must keep their premises, containers, and equipment clean and in good repair. The law further requires that utensils and surfaces which come into contact with food be properly maintained to prevent contamination.
In addition, traders are required to maintain clean working surfaces and take necessary steps to protect food from dirt, pests, and other sources of contamination. The new regulations specify that no food may be placed lower than 500 millimetres from the ground on any pavement, forecourt, or yard. Open food displayed or delivered for sale must be covered or effectively screened to protect it from infection.
The council has also directed that all food be stored in a manner that allows for thorough cleaning of storage facilities. The use of insecticides and pesticides must be controlled to avoid possible contamination of food. Furthermore, anyone employed in handling open food is required to register with the council for monitoring purposes.
The SI also includes public health safeguards, requiring food handlers to report illnesses that could pose a risk of foodborne infections. Any person suffering from or carrying diseases such as typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery, or hepatitis must immediately inform their employer, who is then required to notify the council's environmental health officer. Self-employed food handlers must report directly to the council.
Insiza RDC officials said the new measures are part of efforts to improve food safety standards and protect consumers from outbreaks linked to poor hygiene practices, particularly in areas where informal food vending is widespread.
Health experts have commended the move, saying it will enhance public health in the district, but they also urged the council to complement enforcement with public education campaigns to help vendors understand and comply with the new rules.
According to the SI, no food may be prepared, manufactured, stored, deposited, sold, or exposed for sale in or on any premises where the condition, situation, or construction exposes it to contamination. The council said all food-related activities must be conducted only from premises approved by the local authority.
The by-law also sets out detailed hygiene requirements for all food handlers, mandating that every person who sells, prepares, or stores food must keep their premises, containers, and equipment clean and in good repair. The law further requires that utensils and surfaces which come into contact with food be properly maintained to prevent contamination.
In addition, traders are required to maintain clean working surfaces and take necessary steps to protect food from dirt, pests, and other sources of contamination. The new regulations specify that no food may be placed lower than 500 millimetres from the ground on any pavement, forecourt, or yard. Open food displayed or delivered for sale must be covered or effectively screened to protect it from infection.
The council has also directed that all food be stored in a manner that allows for thorough cleaning of storage facilities. The use of insecticides and pesticides must be controlled to avoid possible contamination of food. Furthermore, anyone employed in handling open food is required to register with the council for monitoring purposes.
The SI also includes public health safeguards, requiring food handlers to report illnesses that could pose a risk of foodborne infections. Any person suffering from or carrying diseases such as typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery, or hepatitis must immediately inform their employer, who is then required to notify the council's environmental health officer. Self-employed food handlers must report directly to the council.
Insiza RDC officials said the new measures are part of efforts to improve food safety standards and protect consumers from outbreaks linked to poor hygiene practices, particularly in areas where informal food vending is widespread.
Health experts have commended the move, saying it will enhance public health in the district, but they also urged the council to complement enforcement with public education campaigns to help vendors understand and comply with the new rules.
Source - Southern Eye
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