Durban, 29 November 2024 – In a bid to curb food safety challenges affecting vulnerable communities across KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli on Friday outlined a series of government interventions during a media briefing. This follows weeks of heightened reports of food poisoning incidents, particularly impacting children and scholars.

Addressing the media, the Premier highlighted the provincial government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of the problem, which include poor regulation of the informal food sector, inadequate hygiene standards, and insufficient waste removal systems.

The Premier’s briefing follows the national government’s gazetting of a draft municipal by-law aimed at standardizing food safety regulations across municipalities. This by-law seeks to address critical gaps in oversight and provide a consistent framework for monitoring spaza shops and informal food outlets.

“The safety and health of our communities, especially our children, are priorities we cannot compromise on,” said Premier Ntuli. “We are moving swiftly to implement measures that will restore public confidence in the safety of our food supply.”

Interventions Announced

The provincial government is rolling out a multi-pronged approach to address the issue. Key interventions include:
1. Enhanced Monitoring and Inspections
• A provincial task team, in collaboration with local municipalities, will conduct routine inspections and surprise spot checks at spaza shops and informal food outlets to enforce compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
2. Trader Education and Awareness Campaigns
• The government will launch a campaign to educate informal traders about food safety practices, waste management, and the importance of adhering to licensing requirements.
3. Strengthened Municipal Oversight
• Municipalities will play a central role in enforcing the newly gazetted by-law, ensuring that all food outlets meet safety and hygiene benchmarks.
4. Community Collaboration
• Communities are encouraged to report unsafe practices and suspicious food products to local authorities. This feedback will help officials take swift action against non-compliant vendors.
5. Coordination with National Efforts
• The province will align its strategy with the national government’s initiatives, ensuring that local interventions complement broader regulatory efforts.

Recent food poisoning incidents have highlighted systemic challenges in the informal food sector, where regulation and enforcement have been uneven. Children, particularly those relying on meals purchased at or near schools, have been disproportionately affected.

While Premier Ntuli acknowledged the severity of the crisis, he expressed optimism about the steps being taken. “These interventions are not just reactive but designed to create a lasting solution that prioritizes public health,” he said.

The Premier called on all stakeholders, including informal traders, law enforcement agencies, and municipal officials, to work together to ensure food safety standards are upheld.

“Protecting the health of our people is a shared responsibility,” Ntuli stressed. “Together, we can safeguard the lives of our children and restore trust in the food sector.”

The provincial government has vowed to monitor the implementation of these measures closely, with plans to evaluate progress and address any shortcomings. Public feedback will be central to refining the province’s approach and ensuring its effectiveness.

KwaZulu-Natal’s efforts to tackle food poisoning and spaza shop safety represent a broader commitment to improving the living conditions and well-being of its citizens. The measures announced today signal a proactive stance in addressing challenges that have long plagued the informal food sector, with a firm focus on public safety and health.