insert_link South Africa South Africa’s Consumer Commission Urges Spaza Shops to Register for Public Safety The South Africa National Consumer Commission has urged spaza shop owners to register within 21 days, as required by president Cyril Ramaphosa. Acting commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu highlighted non-compliance during inspections, following food poisoning incidents that hospitalised hundreds and claimed the lives of learners. Ratshisusu emphasised to the SABC that the Consumer Protection Act prohibits the sale of unsafe goods, urging shop owners to prioritise public safety: todayNovember 20, 2024 2
insert_link South Africa Education Activist Hendrick Makaneta Backs New Spaza Shop Regulations Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has praised the government’s new regulations for spaza shops, seeing them as crucial to reducing foodborne illnesses impacting learners nationwide. Hundreds of learners have been affected by food poisoning with multiple deaths recorded. Makaneta urges proactive government action to protect citizens. todayNovember 11, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa The ANC has called for stricter health and safety protocols for spaza shops In S.A, the ANC has called for stricter health and safety protocols for spaza shops following recent foodborne illnesses, which have affected children. The party is working with law enforcement, local businesses, and other partners to introduce stricter regulations for establishments like spaza shops to ensure public health is prioritised. ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula told the media the party is also closely monitoring investigations into these incidents: todayNovember 8, 2024 13
insert_link South Africa S.A. Police Target Food Manufacturers Amid Rising Food Poisoning Cases In S.A, Acting Gauteng premier and Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela says police have been given a mandate to focus on food manufacturers, as cases of suspected food poisoning are on the rise. She visited the family of two pupils from Sonqoba Primary School in Katlehong, who died after allegedly consuming snacks from a local spaza shop and food supplied by the school. Diale-Tlabela says communities need to be […] todayNovember 6, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa S.A’s government conducts investigations into the outbreak of foodborne illnesses in several provinces S.A's government says it is coordinating comprehensive investigations into the outbreak of foodborne illnesses in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape. Last week, Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that organophosphates, chemicals found in pesticides, were responsible for the deaths of six children in Soweto last month. They allegedly shared a packet of chips they had bought from a local spaza shop. Government's Gavin Sadler says they are […] todayNovember 5, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa Ramaphosa Says ANC Focused on Serving South Africans ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the party's main focus will be improving groundwork to ensure that it returns to its main mission, which is to serve the people of South Africa. He delivered the closing remarks of the special sitting of the ANC National Executive Committee meeting held at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Gauteng. Ramaphosa says the NEC is determined to build branches that are political and not transactional […] todayOctober 28, 2024 9
insert_link Business / Economics Namib Mills responds to allegations following tragic incident in South Africa Namib Mills has issued a statement regarding the tragic deaths of three children in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa, after consuming home-cooked porridge. The company emphasized that there is no evidence linking their Top Score Instant Porridge to the incident. As a precaution, the product has been temporarily withdrawn from markets in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Lesotho while an independent investigation is conducted. In response to the situation, the […] todayOctober 2, 2024 16
insert_link Environment Hazardous mould contaminates many food staples – what you should know about mycotoxins By Oluwadara Pelumi Omotayo, North-West University Mycotoxins are substances produced by mould that poison food. They are harmful to humans and animals when consumed. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), about 25% of the world’s agricultural harvests are contaminated by mycotoxins. Though reliable data is lacking, mycotoxin contamination is widespread in Africa. It often takes the form of aflatoxin in cereal crops and has led to health […] todayMarch 28, 2024 37
insert_link Health / Medical Scientists and doctors raise global alarm over hormone-disrupting chemicals A farmer spraying pesticides in a rice field. Image by Galeri ega via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). By Alden Wicker via Mongabay A new report makes the strong case that a class of industrial chemicals called endocrine disruptors are behind many diseases on the rise globally. The report calls for stronger global regulations controlling their use and release into the environment. A joint effort by the Endocrine Society and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), the report includes […] todayMarch 5, 2024 32