Its Time To Target Bigger Food Outlets For Compliance Maile

Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile Targets Larger Food Outlets in Food Safety Blitz

Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile has called for greater focus on larger food outlets, not just spaza shops, to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Maile led a food safety inspection blitz across various spaza shops and food outlets in Soweto on Monday.

The initiative aimed to ensure that food establishments are not selling contaminated products, maintaining proper hygiene, and adhering to health regulations.

During the blitz, three major supermarkets in Soweto were inspected, including those in Dlamini, Moroka, and Maponya Mall. Several violations of food safety standards were discovered, including expired food items and rodent waste found on some products.

"We found a few expired products in some stores, and noticed that they were not as clean as they should be, especially in areas where food is handled," Maile explained. "Additionally, some products lacked proper labeling, showing neither preparation dates nor expiry dates. Fortunately, with the help of law enforcement and inspectors, we were able to remove some of these non-compliant products from the shelves."

Maile emphasized that the focus on larger outlets is crucial for improving overall food safety compliance across the province.