City defends Tafelsig spaza shop shutdowns

Following the shutdown of three spaza shops in Plain earlier this week the City said inspectors found “significant non-compliance” with health regulations during routine inspections.

This follows earlier reports that community leaders in Tafelsig had raised alarm over expired food and poor hygiene conditions at several local shops.

According to the City’s Health Department, the closures took place on January 6 when the City’s Health Department conducted routine inspections at food premises in the area.

They said: “The City’s Health Department routinely inspects premises that sell food as required in terms of national health regulations. During these inspections, significant non-compliance with health standards were observed at three spaza premises in the Mitchells Plain area.”

The City added that health regulations allow inspectors to immediately prohibit a business from trading if serious health risks are found.

Despite community claims that shop owners should be given warnings, the City said the law does not require prior notice when public health is at risk.

They added: “Health legislation does not specify that prior notification or warning is required, and City Health only prohibits trading where significant health hazards are observed at the time of inspection.”

The municipality explained that inspections of food premises, including spaza shops, are done on a risk-based system depending on conditions found at the premises, the type of food sold and a history of previous violations.

All shops that sell food are required to comply with national hygiene regulations, including the Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises.

The City said it is continuing efforts to improve compliance and protect the public from unsafe food.

They added: “City Health enforces food safety regulations at all premises that sell food. The department conducts routine inspections, collects and analyses food samples, investigates complaints and incidences of food-borne illness, and addresses violations to prevent outbreaks.”

Shop owners can apply for health certification online at no cost and can also access free food safety training offered by the department.

In terms of the law, all food premises must display a Certificate of Acceptability in a visible place.

The City urged consumers to check for these certificates before buying food and to report any suspected unhygienic food handling.

Any persons wishing to alert the City to unhygienic handling of food can do so via the City complaint line at 0860 103 089 or online.

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