State urged to intensify policing of informal food outlets

Government and its institutions need to be stricter in bylaw enforcement to prevent the sale of harmful food, according to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

- Marizka Coetzer

He described the recent food-based illnesses and fatalities as a strange phenomenon.

Motsoaledi said the national structure responsible for coordinating the security of the state was treating these incidents as a threat to the security of the country and its citizens.

The recent deaths of five children prompted clean-up and spaza shop inspections across Johannesburg and Pretoria.

More than 70 people were treated in recent separate suspected food poisoning incidents across the country.

On Thursday, the Tshwane Metro Police Department conducted a bylaw operation in cooperation with the SA Police Service and crime prevention wardens to check on compliance.