City welcomes significant increase in applications from food premises

31 January 2026

Over the past two years, City Health has recorded a 33% increase in applications for Certificates of Acceptability – a document required by food handling premises.

A Certificate Of Acceptability (COA) is a legal document confirming that a food business meets basic hygiene and food safety standards

The standards are outlined in the Regulations governing the general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters, R638 of 22 June 2018.

The City’s Environmental Health Practitioners (Health Inspectors) have recorded a notable increase in premises applying for COAs in the past two years.

In 2023, they issued 2 711 COAs to food-handling premises; in 2024, 2 860 COAs were issued and in 2025, the figure increased to 3 613.

‘It’s encouraging to see more businesses taking food safety seriously and doing the right thing for their customers. This increase means safer food and greater peace of mind for residents. The increased application rate is linked to the national drive to register food handling premises in the wake of a number of alleged food contamination incidents reported in parts of the country in 2024. City Health has also made available an online application platform, for ease of access.

‘We thank those food handling premises who have boosted public safety efforts by obtaining certification; those who are found to be non-compliant run the risk of being fined or having their businesses closed in cases where serious health risk is found. We urge all food handlers, business owners, and managers involved in preparing, storing, distributing, selling, serving, or transporting food for public consumption to apply for a COA. Applying for a certificate is free and easy, and our teams are available to help businesses comply,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.'

CERTIFICATES OF ACCEPTABILITY – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There is NO cost associated with an application for a COA.
COAs are only awarded on submission of all relevant documentation, and a physical inspection has confirmed that the premises complies with the legislative requirements.
Certificates generally only need to be renewed when there is a change of ‘person in charge’, the business has moved to new premises, addition of a new process or building alterations and/or change in legislation occurs.
In certain instances, a period of validity may be specified and linked to the date of duration of a working permit issued by the Department of Home Affairs if applicable.
Environmental Health Practitioners conduct visits to food premises at least twice a year. Where non-compliance is found, more regular inspections are carried out until the problem is resolved.
Online applications can be done here.

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 Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 089.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office