OPINION | State intervention in food sector needed to ensure consumer safety

The Gauteng MEC of Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, announced that 296 spaza shops have been closed downs as of 02 March as a direct response to national government’s call for the registration of local spaza shops and all food handling outlets by the 28^th of February 2025. This forms part of the oversight drive by provincial and local governments in response non-compliance concerns particularly in Gauteng.

The recent investigations conducted by officials of the City of Tshwane have also brought to light the alarming consequences of unchecked big food retailers, shedding light on the lax governmental oversight that has allowed for potential dangers within the South African food industry to go unchecked. Mayor Nasiphi Moya and MMC of Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, took decisive action by closing down a Pick n Pay in Centurion and a Shoprite outlet for noncompliance with health standards essential for safe consumption.

This critical crackdown on food outlets was prompted by the tragic deaths of children across the nation attributed to the consumption of goods purchased from local spaza shops. This tragedy sparked a much-needed dialogue on the regulations governing food outlets, particularly in terms of their business practices concerning health and safety measures. It has become evident that many outlets prioritise profit over the well-being of their customers, prompting the government to mandate the registration of local spaza shops and threatening closure for those failing to comply. Criticism has been directed at the government for its lack of regulatory oversight.

Taking office amid these developments in October 2024, officials of the coalition government of the City of Tshwane have been vigilant in their non-compliance inspections, spearheaded by MMC of Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela. The City of Tshwane goes further by scrutinising big businesses, challenging the misconception that larger food retailers maintain better standards than smaller establishments. The findings reveal widespread noncompliance with regulations among big food retailers, posing health risks to consumers.

These findings underline the monopolistic tendencies within the South African food retail sector, where big businesses not only exploit the labour force but also compromise the health and safety of consumers reliant on their services. Unethical business practices driven by profit maximisation neglect health considerations, emphasising the need for state intervention in the food sector. Akin to the Economic Freedom Fighters’ proposal on state control over coal supply chains, similar governance over the food industry would ensure health-focused priorities and quality assurances.

State-led strategies are crucial in countering the dominance of monopoly capital within the food sector, with the municipal government having the opportunity to strengthen strategic food markets like the Tshwane Food Market and reinforce the informal sector’s role in expanding access to essential goods. By establishing a supply chain that prioritizes public welfare over profit motives, the government can uphold stringent food safety regulations and ensure equitable pricing and quality assurance. Ultimately, recognising that a progressive state’s prosperity hinges on the health of its populace underscores the urgency of implementing state-led reforms within the food industry. Written by Lesego Mahlangu, a senior researcher at the City of Tshwane, who writes in her personal capacity.