In a decisive response to a wave of foodborne illnesses, over 1,000 spaza shops, supermarkets, and warehouses have been shut down across South Africa in the last two weeks. This action follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of stringent measures to curb food safety concerns, particularly those involving illegal pesticides and unhygienic practices in informal food outlets. The government has vowed to strengthen food safety regulations in a bid to protect vulnerable communities, particularly in townships and rural areas.
President Ramaphosa highlighted in his speech to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that nearly 200,000 spaza shops were inspected, with many found to be operating without proper oversight. Following these inspections, over 1,000 establishments were closed, and large quantities of unsafe goods were confiscated. These measures were enacted after tragic incidents where children fell ill and, in some cases, died after consuming food from these outlets. The President emphasized the urgency of addressing these health risks, particularly the sale of food tainted with harmful substances like pesticides.
While spaza shops play a critical role in the country’s economy by providing affordable goods in underserved areas, the President acknowledged the need for better regulation to prevent the illegal sale of contaminated food. He ordered that all spaza shops and food-handling facilities must now register with their local municipalities within 21 days to ensure better compliance with safety standards.
The government’s commitment to improving the safety of these informal food outlets is seen as necessary to protect public health while balancing the economic role of small businesses. As inspections continue, authorities have vowed to ramp up enforcement, ensuring that the food supply is safe and that those who violate regulations face appropriate consequences.
