South Africa takes decisive action against unsafe food practices: Cabinet's bold steps to protect public health

In a no-nonsense response to the growing crisis of foodborne illnesses, the South African government has moved swiftly to tighten oversight of food safety, with particular emphasis on informal food markets.

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's firm announcement on November 15, authorities have ramped up their inspection efforts, with close to 200,000 spaza shops visited.

More than 1,000 businesses — ranging from spaza shops to larger supermarkets and warehouses — have been shut down for non-compliance with health regulations, and goods have been seized in large quantities.

Violations of municipal by-laws have been met with a heavy hand, and hefty fines have followed.

The intervention comes at a time when concerns over expired, counterfeit, and improperly stored food products are reaching critical levels, particularly in informal markets where regulatory oversight has historically been lax.

Ramaphosa expressed the urgency of the situation, noting, "The health and safety of our citizens is of paramount importance. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure food safety across the country, we are taking decisive action against businesses that fail to meet the required health standards. This is a critical moment for the government to step up and safeguard the well-being of all South Africans."

The scope of the government's actions goes beyond just cleaning up the informal sector. There is now a clear and concerted effort to ensure that the very foundations of South Africa’s food supply, including manufacturers and pesticide controls, meet the strictest safety standards.

Particular attention is being given to Terbufos, a pesticide under scrutiny, as authorities push to ensure that manufacturers are fully adhering to established safety guidelines.

In addition to regulatory measures, the government has announced the establishment of a R500 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fund, aimed at helping South African-owned businesses in townships and rural areas meet the necessary health and safety compliance requirements.

The Departments of Small Business Development and Trade, Industry, and Competition are finalising the details, with the fund designed to strengthen both the safety and growth of local enterprises.

A critical deadline looms for spaza shops and food handling facilities: They must register with local municipalities within 21 days from November 15, or risk being shut down. The government's approach is clear: non-compliance will no longer be tolerated.

The government is also using this moment to call on consumers to be vigilant. South Africans are urged to carefully examine food labels, check expiry dates, and avoid purchasing products past their sell-by date.

In addition, there is a strong push for food safety education—especially aimed at children. The Cabinet is encouraging parents to teach their children how to check food labels and understand the basic principles of hygiene when handling food.

Food producers and vendors are being reminded to adhere to the most stringent hygiene practices — proper food storage, thorough cooking, and maintaining clean preparation areas are not just recommended but required to prevent foodborne illnesses.

In an effort to curb the sale of counterfeit and expired food, the National Consumer Commission has set up a dedicated hotline (012 065 1940) for citizens to report violations.

National Consumer Commission said, "The National Consumer Commission encourages all South Africans to play an active role in reporting counterfeit or expired food being sold in their communities. Together, we can ensure that unsafe food products do not reach the shelves, and that consumers' rights are upheld."