City urges residents to verify food safety claims before sharing online
15 June 2026
City Health urges the public to refrain from sharing information on social media without verifying it from a reliable source. In the past week, a number of incidents have been reported and have subsequently gone viral online. While these reports are being investigated, many claims are shared widely before the facts have been established.
City Health is aware of the recent increase in food safety-related complaints received and allegations made regarding foodstuffs purchased from informal economy businesses.
Complaints received this week have ranged from alleged tablets found in chips and biscuits to paraffin in cooldrink.
Our Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) investigate complaints about food safety, work with businesses to prevent harm, and take legal action when necessary to protect consumers.
EHPs rely on community members to act as their eyes and ears—reporting genuine food safety concerns that help the City protect public health.
Responsible reporting enables EHPs to investigate real risks, prevent foodborne illness, and take action against unsafe food premises.
However, false, malicious, or deliberately fabricated complaints—including cases where foodstuffs are sabotaged to create the appearance of contamination seriously undermines the work of our EHPs.
Such actions:
Divert EHPs from critical investigations and outbreak responses
Waste scarce municipal resources on unfounded claims
Cause reputational and financial harm to businesses
May lead to legal consequences or criminal charges for false statements
‘Communities must be mindful of what circulates on social media and question the legitimacy of information shared. Not all posts are accurate - please verify before sharing. If you have genuine food safety concerns, please report it promptly and provide accurate information and as many details as possible. Together, we can protect Cape Town from foodborne illness,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
IN THE EVENT OF A POTENTIAL FOOD SAFETY INCIDENT:
See a doctor for medical confirmation, report to City Health, open a SAPS case, and swear under oath on what transpired.
Include details of the business, its location, product name and description, date and time of purchase or consumption.
Provide the implicated foodstuff, photos or packaging where available, date markings, batch numbers and details of the problem (odour, appearance, foreign object, symptoms experienced)etc.
‘Our Environmental Health Practitioners will investigate all complaints received, but investigations may take time. Our team conducts thorough investigations, including patient interviews, business owner interviews, premises inspections, food sampling, detention and seizure of suspected foodstuffs, and legal action for non-compliance. Remember that verifiable information enable EHPs to prioritise investigations and respond more quickly to genuine risks,’ added Councillor Higham.
Members of the public who have health-related concerns or complaints about food premises can contact their local Environmental Health Office or the City's call centre on 0860 103 089.
Service requests can also be logged online or via the City's App.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
