Government may have failed to uphold food safety standards: Gcaleka

Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, says government and its entities may have failed in their constitutional duty to protect consumers and uphold food safety standards, following a series of deaths linked to contaminated food products in recent years.

Gcaleka briefed the media today on her office’s ongoing investigations into food safety regulations and hygiene standards in the informal business sector, including spaza shops, hawkers and other food preparation premises.

The investigation follows the deaths of at least 23 children in 2024, after they allegedly consumed food contaminated with deadly pesticides.

Gcaleka says the growing threats to public health posed by expired and contaminated food requires urgent investigation.

“The people of South Africa deserve accountability and protection from those entrusted with safeguarding their health and safety. ”

The Public Protector also revealed that Gauteng has been flagged for failing to employ the recommended number of food safety practitioners, with none of the province’s municipalities meeting the standard requirements.

She says Gauteng does not meet the World Health Organisation’s benchmark of one Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) for every 10 000 residents.

“The minimum inspection frequency interval for food premises is once every quarter, meaning each premises must be inspected at a minimum of four times a year.”

Johannesburg recorded the highest compliance level in the province at 50%, while the other metros fell below 25%.

According to Gcaleka, Ekurhuleni is operating at 23%, Tshwane 21%, while Sedibeng and the West Rand are operating at 16% and 18% respectively.

“Sedibeng and the West Rand district municipalities are critically understaffed.  The overall shortage within the Gauteng province appears to be widely spread across all metros and district municipalities.”

“The entire province is functioning at less than 30.3% of the required EHP staffing capacity. All Gauteng metros and district municipalities have an   EHP deficit and as such are not close to the prescribed standard requirements.  Across all metros and Gauteng, the compliance levels for spousal shops in terms of being fully licensed are at a significantly low level.”

Gcaleka added that systemic weaknesses in regulating the informal business sector have created opportunities for corruption, illicit trade and widespread regulatory non-compliance.