City Health records 55% increase in food-related service requests

21 January 2025

November and December saw a marked increase in public complaints and queries around food matters. It came in the wake of a number of high profile incidents that put food safety squarely in the spotlight. Read more below:

South Africa has been in the grip of a food safety debate for months.

In November, national government announced that spaza shops would need to be registered to continue trading.

Any food-handling establishment is required to obtain a Certificate of Acceptability (COA), and to ensure that it complies with national hygiene and food safety standards.

Between 15 November and 31 December 2024, the City's Environmental Health service received 6 510 COA applications from spaza shop owners – the bulk of the applications came from Area East, i.e. Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Strand and surrounds.

COAs are only awarded on submission of all relevant documentation, and a physical inspection to ensure that the premises complies with legislative requirements.

A look at other food-related data shows increases in public complaints and fines issued by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs).

In 2023, the public logged 128 service requests for food-related matters.

Most complaints relate to dates of durability (or what people perceive as expired foodstuff), unhygienic conditions at food premises and food quality concerns.

In 2024, the number increased by 55% to 199, with notable increases in November and December compared to the previous year.

'The increase in complaints tracks with the increased publicity around food safety matters. It's an indication of greater public awareness, although we are under no illusion that much work still needs to be done, amongst businesses but also consumers. For example, there is no such thing as expired food in South African law. It is critical that we all develop an understanding of the regulations, and also how food labelling works to reduce the risk of misinformation and ultimately, food waste.

'In recent months, the focus has been on businesses, but it is important to remember that food safety is as critical in the home. This includes knowing how to handle and appropriately store food items, but also effective hygiene like handwashing and clean surfaces to prevent cross-contamination,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

CERTIFICATES OF ACCEPTABILITY

As a minimum from a health point of view, any person or premises handling foodstuffs for public consumption must be in possession of a valid COA issued by the relevant local authority. A COA is a legal document indicating that a food-handling premises complies with the hygiene and food safety standards as outlined in the Regulations Governing the General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food and Related Matters, R638 of 22 June 2018.

A 'food premises' means a building, structure, stall or other similar structure, and includes a caravan, vehicle, stand or place used for or in connection with the handling of food and "handle" includes the manufacturing, processing, producing, packing, preparing, keeping, offering, storing, transporting or displaying of food for sale or for serving.

Any business, owner or person in charge involved in the handling, preparation, storage, distribution, sale, serving or transportation of food intended for human consumption must be in possession of a valid COA. This certificate must be visibly displayed and informs the customer that the premises meets the minimum hygiene and food safety standards. Customers are encouraged to take a moment to verify this important certification before making food purchases.

The City encourages businesses to apply for a COA by registering as a Business Partner on the City's e-Services portal, where applications can be made online under the Environmental Health Services link. There is no charge for a COA.

'EXPIRED' FOODSTUFF

There is NO provision for 'expired food' in the current South African Labelling Regulations. It is therefore incorrect to refer to expired food.

The regulations do however dictate that all foodstuff have a clearly indicated date marking on the label. 

Generally, these are:

• 'Best Before', which generally applies to shelf stable foods that do not require refrigeration (canned goods, rice, pasta, cereal, biscuits etc.)

• 'Sell By', which is the date by which it should leave the store, so as to give the consumer reasonable time to use the product at home

• 'Use By', which is the most critical, and generally applies to meat, dairy or any other perishable product

It is also important to note that, with shelf stable goods (items that are sealed and do not require refrigeration), food items could still be safe to use, but the nutritional value may diminish after the 'Best Before' date.

Perishables and cold chain goods should not be sold past the use-by dates.

Members of the public who have health-related concerns or complaints about businesses can contact their local Environmental Health Office for assistance via their local clinic or the City's Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 089.

For more information on food safety, visit the City's website: https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/food-safety

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office