The safety of food sold at spaza shops have once again come under scrutiny, following alarming reports of an 8-year-old boy from Mapetla, Soweto, being hospitalised for suspected food poisoning linked to snacks purchased from a local shop.

The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about food safety standards in informal food outlets, prompting calls from political parties for urgent regulatory reform.

The DA has called for stringent measures to ensure compliance among spaza shops, highlighting the life-threatening ramifications of failing to enforce existing food safety regulations.

In a statement, Sergio Isa Dos Santos, Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education expressed grave concern over the ongoing health risks this year and underscored the necessity for accountability from local governance.

“Our focus is the health and safety of Gauteng’s residents, particularly its vulnerable populations—our children,” the DA stated.

“The tragic events involving the boy in Soweto are a stark reminder of the outstanding work that lies ahead. Last year, the deaths of 23 children due to hazardous organophosphate chemicals serve as a chilling backdrop to this ongoing crisis.”

Statistics disclosed by MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, paint a startling picture of neglect. Out of 17,617 applications for Certificates of Acceptability, only 4,610 have been issued to spaza shops and food-handling facilities. Furthermore, although over 31,000 inspections have taken place across municipalities, thousands of food outlets are still unregulated, putting public health at significant risk.

The DA has formally demanded a detailed report from MEC Maile, urging him to prioritise the enforcement of spaza shop regulations and conduct intensified inspections. “This recent food poisoning incident signals a failure in the implementation of promised regulations by Premier Panyaza Lesufi,” the DA said.

“We believe that a DA-led provincial government would focus on upholding community health by establishing stricter oversight and holding municipal officials accountable for negligence.”

The gravity of food safety concerns is amplified by another recent incident; two young girls, siblings aged between eight and ten, reportedly died of suspected food poisoning shortly after consuming snacks from a local tuck shop in Mahikeng, North West Province.

It is revealed that the girls complained of stomach pains before passing away on Friday, further shedding light on the grim reality of food safety issues affecting many communities.

anita.nkonki@inl.co.za

Saturday Star