Media Statement: Residents urged to report unsafe food products found at shops to Municipal Health Chiefs

 10 September 2026

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) urges residents to report any food products they believe may be unsafe for human consumption at spaza shops, supermarkets, food outlets or other food-handling premises.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. If residents come across spoiled, damaged, contaminated or incorrectly labelled food products, they should not consume the product and should report the matter to the Garden Route District Municipality’s Municipal Health Services.

Who to report safety concerns to:

Johan Compion (entire region)
Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality
E-mail: info@gardenroute.gov.za
Cell: 082 803 5161

George Municipal Area
Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health (Outeniqua)
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530
Tel: 044 803 1501 / Cell: 078 457 2824

Klein Karoo & Kannaland Municipal Areas
Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health (Klein Karoo)
94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn
Tel: 044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530

Mossel Bay Municipal Area
Dr Johann Schoeman – Manager: District Air Quality Management and Municipal Health (Mossel Bay)
C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay
Tell: 044 693 0006 / Cell: 083 530 3709

Knysna Municipal Area
James McCarthy – Chief: Knysna
26A Queen Street, Knysna, 6571
Tel: 044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417

Bitou Municipal Area
Gawie Vos – Chief: Lakes (Bitou)
4 Virginia street, Plettenberg bay, 6600
Tel: 044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522

Hessequa Municipal Area
Haemish Herwels – Chief: Hessequa
24 Michell Street, Riversdale, 6670
Tel: 028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545

If your report is unanswered, please contact communications@gardenroute.gov.za

How often are food premises inspected?

National environmental health standards provide for inspections at least once every three months for high-risk food premises, once every six months for moderate-risk premises and once every 12 months for low-risk premises.

Importantly, inspections are not limited to routine visits. Additional inspections may be conducted when complaints are received, unsafe food or non-compliance is suspected, or where there is a suspected food-borne illness or other public-health risk.

Residents are encouraged to play their part in protecting public health. If you see food that you believe is unsafe, report it to GRDM Municipal Health Services rather than consuming it or simply leaving it on the shelf.

Feature image: An informal food premises in the Garden Route, which is inspected at least every three months by an Environmental Health Practitioner.

ENDS