As food poisoning cases surge across the country, a KwaZulu-Natal company is at the forefront of combating food poisoning through rigorous testing and research, led by an all-women team dedicated to public health.

With the prevalence of poisoning incidents in recent months, testing has quickly become a necessity in order to keep food safe.

Scientists at the Testing Company, in partnership with Durban University of Technology (DUT), are fostering cutting-edge research when it comes to food.

Founded by a team of medical professionals, academics, and business leaders, their purpose is to ensure the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical, nutritional, agricultural, and personal care products. They are the first and only SAHPRA-licensed laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal.

Shivani Rampersad, the chief operating officer of the Testing Company, said as a scientist they took every case seriously.

“In an era where counterfeit medications and contaminated foods posed serious health risks, we play a critical role in safeguarding public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting industries that drive economic growth,” said Rampersad.

She, along with her all women team, consisting of Maxine Govender, an analyst specialising in food technology, and Tanika Padayachy, a QA analyst and Master’s candidate in biotechnology at Stellenbosch University, made sure the food testing was done properly.

“Food is a fundamental necessity, yet as consumers, we often trust that what we eat is safe without considering the unseen dangers lurking within. The alarming rise in foodborne illnesses across South Africa, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, makes this issue impossible to ignore.

“As a scientist, I am deeply concerned by the increasing reports of contaminated food reaching consumers. And as a mother, I am particularly troubled by the growing number of school-aged children affected by food poisoning,” said Rampersad.

She believes that rigorous testing at every stage of the supply chain, paired with greater public awareness, can dramatically improve food safety, prevent illness, and ultimately save lives.

“At its core, The Testing Company is dedicated to addressing South Africa’s food safety crisis. We protect consumers by offering accessible and affordable testing solutions in collaboration with government agencies. However, our ultimate goal is a safer, healthier future for all.”

She said that their specialty wass trying to prevent food poisoning.

“We believe testing is the backbone of any food industry. Our primary clients are food manufacturers, from start-ups to established brands, and we provide a range of science-driven testing services.

“We make sure to regulate compliance testing to ensure that food meets industry and safety standards as well as quality control analysis to verify food consistency and integrity but most importantly we do microbial testing to prevent food-borne illnesses and contamination risks. Through these services, we help businesses uphold the highest quality standards, ensuring that consumers can trust what they eat.”

Whether it is fast food, dining out, or freshly-prepared meals, consumers have very little control over food safety.

“It is the responsibility of regulatory bodies, such as municipal health departments, to enforce hygiene and safety standards. While we can determine the shelf-life of commercial food products, the safety of freshly prepared meals ultimately depends on proper handling and sanitation within restaurants and food outlets,” said Rampersad.

She said food safety became difficult when eating out, as there was no way to avoid contaminated food.

“Food testing is a routine process that all manufactured foods undergo to ensure safety. However, most daily-prepared food, whether home-cooked, restaurant-made, or fast food, are not tested before being served to consumers.

“Pre-packaged foods undergo strict microbial testing by manufacturers to ensure they meet safety standards before hitting the shelves. If a product fails testing, manufacturers must refine their processes, adjust packaging, and improve storage conditions. Unfortunately, when dining out, there’s no foolproof way to detect contamination. Consumers must rely on food service providers to uphold safety standards,” said Rampersad.

She said that food-borne illnesses could have serious health consequences, particularly for young children, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems.

“Contaminated food can cause severe infections, long-term health complications, and, in extreme cases, even fatalities,” said Rampersad .

The Testing Company conducts various scientific analyses to ensure food quality and safety such as, microbial analysis detects bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, shelf-life testing determines how long food remains safe for consumption and nutritional analysis verifies the composition of food products.

“These tests are crucial in ensuring food remains safe, high-quality, and compliant with regulatory standards. With rising foodborne illness outbreaks, comprehensive testing has never been more critical. Food safety is not optional. It is essential.

“Testing safeguards public health by preventing contamination before products reach consumers, builds consumer trust by ensuring compliance with strict industry standards and protects businesses by reducing the risk of product recalls, legal issues, and reputational damage,” said Rampersad.

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