Compliance Concerns Grow As Spaza Shop Registrations Continue

As spaza shop registrations continue, compliance concerns have been at the epicentre. This follows numerous foodborne illness cases nationwide, including a tragic incident in Gauteng last year where 23 children died after consuming snacks bought from spaza shops.

During the last Gauteng Provincial government update, over 17 000 spaza shops have registered in the province.

Spaza shops and food handling outlet owners without registration documents had until the 28th of February to comply. Non-compliant shops would be shut until their registration process is complete and their documents are in order.

Businesses are expected to have their municipal registration and metro compliance certificates displayed where consumers and inspectors can see them.

A spaza shop owner, who has had her shop for 25 years and obtained a Certificate of Acceptance last year, says compliance is still a major issue that the government needs to tackle.