Media Release: World Food Safety Day – The Role of Environmental Health Practitioners

For immediate release
7 June 2025

Today, 7 June 2025, Food Safety Day is commemorated across the globe, with the theme “Science in Action”.

Did you know? Approximately 200 diseases in humans are caused by the consumption of unsafe food, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. On top of this, close to 1.6 million people world-wide fall ill daily due to them consuming unsafe food, according to the World Health Organisation.

Why is food safety important?

The World Health Organisation defines ‘Food Safety’ as the assurance that food will not harm consumers when prepared and eaten. ‘Food Hygiene’ encompasses measures to ensure food safety from production to consumption.

The purpose of food safety is to ensure that FOOD IS SAFE TO EAT. However, contaminated food and water sources are the main contributors to food borne illnesses that affect people, particularly across South Africa. This phenomenon is also noted globally.

When contaminated, foodstuff impose considerable health burdens, ranging in severity from being mildly sick, to fatalities. Related illnesses impact health, livelihoods, education and economies.

In South Africa, health authorities are continuously enforcing food safety principles to protect consumers. These principles focus on ensuring food safety during production, handling, storage, processing, and distribution.

While food safety increasingly becomes an important public health issue, governments all over the world are intensifying their efforts to improve food safety, according to the WHO. This is largely due to rapid globalisation, overpopulation and the importance of the safety when food gets transported from one country to another.

The role of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) in ensuring Food Safety within the Garden Route

Daily inspections 

According to the numerous of responsibilities of EHPs, Food Control is one of the areas which require the complex responsibilities. Food Control relates to a mandatory regulatory activity of enforcement to provide consumer protection and to ensure that food is:

• Handled in a hygienic manner during production, storage, processing, distribution and sale;
• safe, wholesome and fit for human consumption and conforms to safety, nutrition and quality requirements; and
• honestly and accurately labelled as prescribed by law.

The role of the EHP includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Inspection of food premises and vehicles;
• Compliance monitoring in terms of legislative requirements and provisions and instituting remedial and preventative measures;
• Issuing of Certificates of Acceptability;
• Examining sampling and analysis of foodstuffs;
• Examining food labels;
• Addressing complaints;
• ‘Law enforcement’ by serving compliance notices, or if deemed necessary, by issuing summonses to appear in Court (Sect 56 of Criminal Procedures Act. 1977)
• Export control when requested; and
• Health promotion and training, etc.

According to Johan Compion, Snr. Manager for Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management and Air Quality Control, “Many diseases can be prevented when the public is educated and informed; and action is taken”.

“Particularly during the month of June, in celebration of World Food Safety Day, the GRDM EHPs plan to visit various areas/premises in the Garden Route to conduct Food Safety awareness and education sessions.”

On 3 June, the GRDM EHPs serving the Klein Karoo area, conducted an educational and awareness session at Linza Sales Foods where they educated participants regarding the Five Keys to Safer Food.  On Thursday, 5 June, EHPs from GRDM, EHPs from Beaufort West and the Department of Agriculture engaged in discussions at the South Cape Central Karoo Forum held in Sedgefield on the status of meat production in the Western Cape. On 8 June, the Outeniqua team serving the George area will have a Health and Hygiene education and awareness session targeting communities they serve. In the Bitou area, the GRDM’s Bitou team plans to host a targeted food safety training session for managers of both formal and informal food premises in Plettenberg Bay.

To report any Food Safety related complaints, contact your nearest GRDM Municipal Health Office:

Johan Compion
jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1550 / 082 803 5161

Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo
desmond@gardenroute.gov.za
044 272 2241 / Cell: 083 678 6530
94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn

Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay
rinay@gardenroute.gov.za
044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay

Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)
emmy@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1537 / Cell: 078 457 2824
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George, 6530

Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)
jessica@gardenroute.gov.za
044 803 1522 / Cell: 081 346 3118
Mission Street, Industrial Area, George

James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes)
james@gardenroute.gov.za
044 382 7214 / Cell: 082 805 9417
26A Queen Street, Knysna

Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes)
Gjvos@gardenroute.gov.za
044 501 1600 / Cell: 083 557 1522
7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay

 Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg)
haemish@gardenroute.gov.za
028 713 2438 / Cell: 083 678 6545
23 Mitchell Street, Riversdale

 *Landline numbers are only in use during weekdays

ENDS

Media Statement: Investigation Concludes on alleged Foodborne Illness Incident Involving Schoolchildren

13 December 2024

“The Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) have concluded their investigation into the reported illness of schoolchildren on 18 November 2024 in Mossel Bay,” said Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel.

The GRDM previously reported about the children were reported to have fallen ill after consuming chips purchased from local spaza shops and vendors near their school.

The mandate of GRDM is to send similar batches of chips packets for testing to the National Health Laboratory Service – Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, to screen for potential contamination. Whereas the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is to send the actual foreign objects found in the food packaging for testing.

“Testing a specific batch of a product is crucial for pinpointing contamination or irregularities linked to a particular production or handling period. This process ensures traceability and prevents inaccurate generalizations about a product’s safety,” said Stroebel

“According to the laboratory test results, the toxicology analysis confirmed that no traces of toxic chemicals were present in any of the batches of chips.”

“The EHPs have concluded that there is no evidence that the chips were cause of the illness of the children,” said Stroebel.

The South African Police Service (SAPS), however, is busy conducting testing on substances found as part of their ongoing investigation.

To report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foods, members of the public are urged to contact their nearest SAPS or reach out directly to the Garden Route District Municipality’s Environmental Health Services.

• Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control. jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1550 / 082 803 5161
• Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo. desmond@gardenroute.gov.za;  044 272 2241 / 083 678 6530; 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn.
• Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay. rinay@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 693 0006 / 083 630 6108; C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.
• Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua). emmy@gardenroute.gov.za;  044 803 1537 / 078 457 2824; Mission Street, Industrial Area, George.
• Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness); jessica@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1522 / 081 346 3118; Mission Street, Industrial Area, George.
• James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes). james@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 382 7214 / 082 805 9417; 26A Queen Street, Knysna.
• Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes). Gjvos@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 501 1600 / 083 557 1522; 7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay
• Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg).  haemish@gardenroute.gov.za; 028 713 2438 / 083 678 6545; 23 Mitchell Street, Riversdale.

 ENDS

Media Release: GRDM EHPs continue with Spaza Shop Blitz Operations and Food Safety Workshops to prevent foodborne illnesses in the district

For immediate release
6 December 2024

During this week and the latter part of the last week, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) conducted a series of spaza shop-focused initiatives to address the outbreak of foodborne illnesses. These efforts aimed to ensure that spaza shops comply with health, safety, and legal regulations.

The compliance operations were carried out in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), Local Municipal representatives, Immigration authorities, and the Department of Home Affairs, among others.

Food safety inspections and workshops were held in several areas across the district, including Bitou, Mossel Bay, the Klein Karoo, Hessequa, George, and Knysna.

Bitou Municipal Area

On 2 December 2024, the GRDM Bitou Municipal Health team inspected four (4) spaza shops in the Wittedrift and Green Valley areas of the Bitou Municipality, focusing on health and safety regulations, hygiene standards, and legal compliance (e.g., COA certificates, permits). One (1) shop was closed due to non-compliance with relevant regulations.

On 3 December 2024, the team conducted inspections in the New Horizons, Pinetrees, and Bossiesgif areas, where a total of 21 spaza shops were inspected. Of these, four (4) shops were closed for failing to comply with health and safety requirements. Notices were issued to non-compliant shops, which included warnings or directives to address violations within a specified timeframe. Additionally, one (1) shop in Bossiesgif received a prohibition notice due to severe non-compliance and was temporarily shut down until specific health and safety concerns are resolved.

In total, twenty-five (25) spaza shops were inspected across the four areas (Wittedrift/Green Valley, New Horizons, Pinetrees, and Bossiesgif). Five (5) shops were closed due to non-compliance – one (1) in Wittedrift/Green Valley, three (3) in New Horizons, and one (1) in Bossiesgif. An additional shop in Bossiesgif was issued a prohibition notice.

Blitz operations conducted GRDM EHPs and stakeholders in the Bitou Municipal area.

Mossel Bay Municipal Area

On 27 November 2024, a Blitz Operation was conducted in the Kwanonqaba area, where five (5) shops were inspected. One (1) shop was temporarily closed, and a prohibition notice was issued to the owner.

On 28 November 2024, another Blitz Operation took place in the Great Brak River area. This operation included inspections of three (3) spaza shops and one (1) formal food premises. No closures were required during this operation.

Continuing efforts to enhance food safety, GRDM EHPs conducted Joint Informal Food Traders Workshops in several communities. On 3 December 2024, workshops were held in the Herbertsdale and D’Almeida communities to provide participants with valuable information about food safety. Another workshop was conducted at the Wolwedans Hall in Great Brak River on 4 December 2024, which was attended by three (3) spaza shop owners and employees. The workshop received positive feedback from participants.

Mossel Bay Municipality’s Waste Department, Building Control, and Town Planning Department formed part of the initiative.

Key topics discussed included:

• Health and Safety – GRDM
• Fire Safety – Mossel Bay Municipality
• Building Plan Compliance – Mossel Bay Municipality
• Waste Management – Mossel Bay Municipality

Informal Food Trader Workshops conducted in Herbertsdale, D’Almeida and Great Brak River by GRDM’s Mossel Bay based EHPs.

Knysna

In the Knysna area, a Blitz Operation was conducted on November 28, 2024, targeting identified areas including Nekkies, Kayalethu, Concordia, and Rheenendal. The operation was carried out in collaboration with the SAPS, Immigration authorities, and the Department of Home Affairs.

During the operation, EHPs seized and safely disposed of foodstuffs deemed unsound and unwholesome. Banned substances, including pesticides, were detained, and the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development will be contacted for their confiscation. Health and Hygiene education was also provided to food handlers at the inspected food premises during the operation.

Daily inspections will continue to ensure that quality food products are sold in communities served by these spaza shops.

EHPs from Knysna and stakeholders conducted Blitz Operations in the Nekkies, Kayalethu, Concordia, and Rheenendal areas of Knysna.

Klein Karoo

In the Klein Karoo, Spaza Shop Blitz operations were conducted by GRDM EHPs during the week in Calitzdorp, Ladismith, and Dysselsdorp. The operations involved key role players, including the SAPS, the Department of Agriculture, Immigration officials, and representatives from Local Municipalities’ Town Planning, Fire Services, and Building Control departments.

A total of twenty-six (260 spaza shops were inspected during the operations, with two (2) shops closed due to poor hygienic conditions.

Additionally, EHPs conducted Health and Hygiene workshops in Ladismith on 2 December 2024, and in Oudtshoorn on 3 December 2024. These workshops were well-attended, with twenty-eight (28) spaza shop owners participating in Ladismith and seventy-eight (78) spaza shop owners attending in Oudtshoorn. Read related article: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2024/12/03/3-desember-2024-persverklaring-gesondheids-en-higiene-werkswinkel-vir-spaza-winkel-eienaars-en-informele-kosverkopers-gehou-in-ladismith/

Hessequa

On 2 December 2024, EHPs from the GRDM Riversdale based Municipal Health office, conducted a Food Hygiene Workshop in Riversdale.

The workshop was attended by representatives from eighty-six (86) spaza shops, including shop and property owners.

The EHPs expressed their gratitude to all participants for their strong attendance and commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Hessequa residents.

Additionally, a Blitz Operation was carried out in Slangrivier on 28 November 2024. During the operation, ten (10) spaza shops were inspected, and one (1) shop was closed due to poor hygienic conditions.

EHPs from the GRDM Hessequa office hosted a Food Hygiene Workshop in Riversdale where eighty-six (86) spaza shops were represented.

George

In the George area, although no shops were visited for inspections, one (1) spaza shop was closed.

Possible Compliance Issues addressed during the operation

In terms of Health and Hygiene violations, shops that were closed may be linked to unsafe food handling practices, unsanitary conditions, or inadequate pest control. In terms of Safety Hazards where shops posed a direct risk to public health and safety, these shops could have been shut down or notices issued until improvements were made.

The Way Forward

• Follow-Up Inspections: The Municipal Health teams serving the various regions will conduct follow-up Inspections to ensure that the spaza shops that were closed or issued notices have rectified their non-compliance issues.
• Enforcement of Notices: Ensure that any prohibition or closure notices are enforced, and shops are only allowed to reopen once they meet the necessary compliance requirements.
• Continued Education and Support: Ongoing training for spaza shop owners to understand and meet health, safety, and legal requirements, helping them avoid future violations.

These collaborative efforts highlight the proactive approach of EHPs and stakeholders in maintaining safe, legal, and hygienic conditions at spaza shops.

While inspections are crucial, continuous education campaigns and workshops are equally important. These initiatives aim to prevent foodborne illnesses, reduce shop closures, and support the communities that rely heavily on these businesses as valuable local assets.

ENDS