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Informal Food Trading

3 Desember 2024 Persverklaring: Gesondheids- en Higiëne Werkswinkel vir Spaza winkel eienaars en informele kosverkopers gehou in Ladismith

Persverklaring: Gesondheids- en Higiëne Werkswinkel vir Spaza winkel eienaars en informele kosverkopers gehou in Ladismith

3 Desember 2024

Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (OGP) van die Tuinroete Distriksmunisipaliteit (TDM) se Klein Karoo Munisipale Gesondheidkantoor, in samewerking met Kannaland Munisipaliteit, het gister ’n opvoedkundige werkswinkel aangebied om informele voedselhandelaars in die Ladismith omgewing te bemagtig.

Die werkswinkel het gevolg na ’n week van blitsoperasies wat plaasgevind het en  verskeie rolspelers soos die OGP’s van die TDM, die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD), Immigrasiedienste, en verskeie departemente binne Kannaland Munisipaliteit, onder andere die  Brandweerdienste, Wetstoepassing, Boubeheer en Stadsbeplanningsdienste ingesluit het.

Op die foto, van links na regs: TDM OGP Desmond Paulse, saam met die Waarnemende Munisipale Bestuurder van Kannaland Munisipaliteit, Hendrik Barnard; Eric Schutte – Kannaland Stadsbeplanning; Marc Rensburg – Kannaland Boubeheer; CC Cornelius Willemse – Kannaland Veiligheid en Wetstoepassing; en Wilmie Viljoen van Kannaland Munisipaliteit.

Gesondheid- en Higiëne Opvoeding deur OGP

Tydens die werkswinkel, het die OGP’s ‘n omvattende gesondheids- en higiëne opvoedingsessie aangebied wat op die volgende aspekte gefokus het:

  • Die Regulasies wat Algemene Higiënevereistes vir Voedselpersele, die Vervoer van Voedsel en Verwante Sake beheer, naamlik Regulasie R638 van 2018, afgekondig kragtens die Wet op Voedsel, Skoonheidsmiddels en Ontsmettingsmiddels, Wet 54 van 1972. Hierdie regulasie vereis dat alle voedselbesigheidsoperateurs by die higiëne- en veiligheidsprotokolle hou en oor ‘n geldige Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid beskik.
  • Geen voedselperseel mag voedsel aan die publiek verkoop sonder ‘n geldige Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid nie.
  • ‘n Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid kan slegs verkry word deur aansoek te doen by die plaaslike munisipale gesondheidsdiensowerheid. Hierdie sertifikaat word slegs uitgereik nadat  die voldoening aan Regulasie R638 van 2018 deur ‘n inspekteur geverifieer is.

Indien ‘n OGP, nadat ‘n inspeksie uitgevoer is, tevrede is dat aan die volgende vereistes voldoen word, sal hulle ‘n Sertifikaat van Aanvaarbaarheid (COA) uitreik:

  1. Strukturele vereistes.
  2. Temperatuurbeheer.
  3. Skei van rou en gaar kos.
  4. Aangewese voedselbergingsareas.
  5. Higiënevereistes.
  6. Plaagbeheer en verbode plaagdoders.
  7. Persoonlike higiëne van voedselhanteerders.
  8. Gereelde handewas.
  9. Beskerming van voedsel.
  10. Identifisering van onveilige kos.
  11. Datumbeheer: Verduideliking van “verkoop teen,” “gebruik teen,” en “beste voor” datums.
  12. Belangrike feite oor etikettering van voorafverpakte voedsel.

Drie tipes Sertifikate van Aanvaarbaarheid (COA’s) wat aan voedselhandelaars uitgereik kan word:

  1. Sertifisering vir die verkoop van voedselprodukte: Vir handelaars wat voedselprodukte aan die publiek verkoop.
  2. Voedselvoorbereiding: Vir die voorbereiding van kos op die perseel.
  3. Voedselverwerking: Vir fabrieke wat voedselprodukte vervaardig.

Belangrike Nota:
Voldoening aan Regulasie 638 van 2018 bied nie outomaties goedkeuring om besigheid op voedselpersele te bedryf nie. Alle ander relevante vereistes van die plaaslike owerheid en toepaslike wetgewing moet ook nagekom word.

Vyf sleutels vir veiliger kos:

  1. Hou skoon.
  2. Skei rou en gaar.
  3. Kook deeglik.
  4. Berg kos by veilige temperature.
  5. Gebruik skoon water en rou materiaal.

Higiëne 10-punt plan vir voedselpersele:

  1. Was altyd jou hande voordat jy kos hanteer en nadat jy die toilet gebruik het.
  2. Rapporteer enige vel-, neus-, keel- of diarreeprobleem by jou toesighouer en bedek enige snye met ‘n waterdigte pleister.
  3. Moet nie oor kos of werkoppervlak hoes of nies nie.
  4. Was jou liggaam goed en dra altyd skoon, beskermende klere.
  5. Onthou, rook in die kosbereidingsarea is verbode.
  6. Werk netjies in kosareas, hou altyd die kombuistoerusting en eetgerei skoon.
  7. Hou kos skoon, bedek en op die regte temperatuur (warm of koud) soos benodig. Hou rou en gaar kos apart.
  8. Hou jou kaal hande so ver as moontlik van die kos af.
  9. Hou die deksel op die vullisdrom.
  10. Moet nie die wet oortree nie! Vra die persoon in beheer as jy nie die regulasies verstaan nie.

Vir navrae met betrekking tot COA’s uitgereik deur OGP’s in die Oudtshoorn en Kannaland munisipale gebiede, kontak:

Desmond Paulse, Bestuurder Munisipale Gesondheidsdienste: Klein Karoo – 044 272 2241, desmond@gardenroute.gov.za

Hooffoto:  Spaza Winkel eienaars van Ladismith wie die werkswinkel bygewoon het

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29 November 2024 Media Release: Blitz Operations Continue with More Spaza Shops Visited

Media Release: Blitz Operations Continue with More Spaza Shops Visited

29 November 2023

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), through its Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), continues to prioritise public health and safety by conducting inspections and monitoring food facilities, businesses, and other premises to ensure compliance with health regulations.

This past week, the following interventions took place in the different municipal areas:

Plettenberg Bay Municipal Health Office

Kurland – Plettenberg Bay

An operation in Kurland, Plettenberg Bay, was conducted in collaboration with the GRDM Municipal Health Office of Plettenberg Bay, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Bitou Municipality Law Enforcement Officers. The operation aimed to ensure compliance with food safety regulations, promote health and hygiene education, and improve food safety standards across 10 spaza shops.

As a result of the intervention:

  • 4 spaza shops were closed due to structural issues,
  • 1 spaza shop was closed due to ownership concerns, and
  • 1 spaza shop was closed due to unhygienic conditions.

Kranshoek – Plettenberg Bay

A joint operation was conducted in Kranshoek, a settlement located approximately 15 kilometres outside Plettenberg Bay, on 18 November 2024. All 14 spaza shops in the area were visited.

Qolweni and Bossiesgif – Plettenberg Bay

Role players conducted a joint operation at spaza shops in the Qolweni and Bossiesgif areas of Plettenberg Bay on Thursday, 21 November 2024.

A total of 14 spaza shops were inspected, with health and hygiene education and training provided. Five shops were closed due to non-compliance.

Kwanokuthula – Plettenberg Bay

A total of 19 spaza shops in Kwanokuthula were inspected. One shop was closed due to non-compliance.

The final blitz operation is scheduled for next week (2-6 December 2024) in Green Valley, New Horizons, and Pine Trees. Bitou Municipality’s Town Planning and Economic Development and Planning commenced the Consent Use Applications in September 2024, allowing spaza shop owners to apply for consent use rights in terms of the Land Use Planning By-Law. All spaza shops in the targeted areas will be surveyed and mapped.

The application process for business licenses is active, with application documents available at Town Planning and the LED office of Bitou Municipality.

Mossel Bay Municipal Health Office

On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, the EHPs from the Mossel Bay office visited two shops in Klein-Brak River. On Wednesday, they continued their operation, inspecting five shops in the Kwanonqaba area and closing two due to noncompliance. On Thursday, four shops were inspected in Great-Brak River.

George Municipal Health Office

On Tuesday, 26 November 2024, the George office (both regions combined) conducted a blitz operation in the industrial area of George, focusing on wholesalers. This operation targeted wholesalers because spaza shops source their stock from these suppliers, and the aim was to ensure the safety of the stock being distributed.

A total of eight shops were visited, and three were closed due to poor hygiene and the absence of a valid Certificate of Acceptability (COA). The Department of Agriculture seized illegal insecticides and insecticides labelled in a foreign language.

Klein-Karoo Municipal Health Office

On Thursday, 28 November 2024, the GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel, and Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, joined the EHPs from the Oudtshoorn Municipal Health Office to conduct inspections of spaza shops in the Dysselsdorp area.

Three shops were inspected, with two having had to be closed immediately, because they did not comply with health and safety standards.

Calitzdorp and Ladismith

On Wednesday, 27 November 2024, the EHP from the Klein Karoo Office conducted a spaza shop inspection in Calitzdorp, covering the Bergsig and Royal Heights areas. Nine shops were inspected. The EHP extended their inspection the following day, Thursday, to Ladismith, where 12 spaza shops were inspected in the Nissenville area.

For the past week, 109 door-to-door educational sessions have been conducted in the Klein Karoo area.

The public is urged to report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foodstuff. Contact SAPS or reach out directly to the following GRDM EHPs:

Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control

 Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo

 Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay

  • E-mail: rinay@gardenroute.gov.za
  • Tel: 044 693 0006 /Cell: 083 630 6108
  • C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay

 Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua)

 Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness)

 James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes)

 Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes)

 Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg)

Editors’ note:

Following the directive issued earlier this month by the President of the Republic of South Africa, spaza shops and food-handling facilities were required to register with their respective municipalities within 21 days. This mandate aims to strengthen compliance with health and safety standards.

GRDM EHPs, in collaboration with local municipality Law Enforcement Officers, Waste Management officials, Firefighters, SAPS, the National Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Home Affairs, have been conducting ongoing inspections of both formal and informal food traders across the region.

Operations focus on assessing local spaza shop owners’ adherence to health guidelines, including proper food handling, cleanliness, and safe food storage practices. Additionally, education is provided on maintaining hygienic conditions, managing waste, and preventing foodborne diseases. The overall goal is to ensure safer food practices and ultimately safeguard public health within the community.

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25 November 2024 Media Release: Great turn-out during Educational Workshop for Informal Food Traders hosted in Thembalethu, George

Media Release: Great turn-out during Educational Workshop for Informal Food Traders in Thembalethu, George

25 November 2024

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP), in collaboration George Municipality, the National Department of Agriculture and the South African Police Services (SAPS), hosted an educational workshop aimed at empowering informal food traders in Thembalethu, George.

According to Acting Chief for Environmental Health Practitioners from the George, Jessica Erasmus, “approximately 200 informal food traders attended the session”. “We started at 09h30 and finished after 12h00. Initially about 50-odd people were present but the numbers quickly increased as more information was being shared.”

“The workshop featured presentations from our EHPs and several critical stakeholders who have a role to play in regulating informal food traders.”

National Department of Agriculture focused on pesticides and poison

Presented on prohibited pesticides and rat poisons that businesses are not allowed to sell. Emphasis was placed on ensuring the safety of products offered to the public. Additionally, guidelines were provided on the proper storage of hazardous materials, stressing the importance of secure and compliant storage practices.

GRDM EHPs focus on health and hygiene

Conducted an interactive session using an educational video to outline hygiene and structural requirements for spaza shops. Practical demonstrations were included to enhance understanding. EHPs also discussed the three types of Certificates of Acceptability (CoAs) available for traders:

  • Selling Products: Certification for selling food products.
  • Food Preparation: For preparing food on-site.
  • Food Processing: For factory-based food production.

Spaza shop owners were reminded about strict quality control measures. Items such as dented, rusted, or improperly labeled cans, as well as unlabelled coffees and oils sold in small packets, must be removed from their shelves.

For queries relating to CoAs issued by EHPs in the George municipal area, contact:

  • Emmy Douglas – 044 803 1537, emmy@gardenroute.gov.za
  • Jessica Erasmus – 044 803 1522, jessica@gardenroute.gov.za

George Municipality Fire Department focused on fire safety

Delivered a presentation on fire safety, highlighting the necessity of having fire extinguishers on-site. They also provided important contact details for reporting structural fires and other emergencies.

Key contact numbers relating to fire and rescue services at George Municipality:

  • For fire emergencies contact 044 801 6311, after-hours emergencies 044 801 6311 and for general enquiries, 044 801 6300

George Municipality Planning Department shared insights into business licenses and zoning

Shared insights on zoning requirements and building plan requirements for businesses and detailed the process for obtaining business licenses. Informal traders were reminded to register their businesses with the George Municipality.

Key contacts for business licenses at George Municipality:
  • Tanja Botha – 044 802 2900, tabotha@george.gov.za
  • Anelisa Yani – 044 802 2900, ayani@george.gov.za
  • Abongile Nontshikiza – 044 802 2900, anontshikiza@george.gov.za

South African Police Service (SAPS) focused on operating hours

Provided clarity on the operating hours for spaza shops, ensuring compliance with regulations to maintain orderly trading practices and safety.

As part of their oversight, the GRDM MMC for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, also attended the educational session. He also took a moment to welcome everyone present, while he was joined by Cllr Jacobus Gertse (GRDM Councillor).

“More workshops will be rolled out in other parts of the region to enhance safety and compliance of other informal food traders,” said Erasmus.

Feature: Imam Saaid providing closing remarks

 

You are invited to an Informal Food Traders Workshop in George

You are invited to an Informal Food Traders Workshop in George

Date: 25 November
Time: 09:00 – 11:00
Venue: Thembalethu Thusong centre, Jeriko Street, Thembalethu, George

The Garden Route District Municipality is pleased to host an Informal Food Traders Workshop in collaboration with George Municipality. This educational session is designed to empower individuals who own, operate, or work in informal food premises.

The workshop will provide essential information on the legal requirements for running a spaza shop, along with insights from expert speakers on key topics such as:

  • Health and Hygiene
  • Fire Safety
  • Building Plan Compliance
  • Waste Management
  • And other important aspects related to operating informal food trading businesses

This interactive and engaging session is a great opportunity to refresh your knowledge and gain valuable guidance to enhance your operations.

If you have any questions about this upcoming event, please contact Jessica Erasmus on 044 803 1522 or WhatsApp 081 346 3118, e-mail jessica@gardenroute.gov.za