The recent food poisoning reports linked to products bought from spaza shops in South Africa, predominantly in Gauteng, highlights the importance of exercising caution when purchasing and consuming food items. The food poisoning led to the death of several children, left some customers ill and others fighting for their lives in hospitals. Although spaza shops play an essential role in township economy by providing access to affordable food and household items, the lack of consistent oversight can sometimes lead to compromised quality and even dangerous products on the shelves. Some steps that can be taken to assess the food include examining expiry dates, inspecting packaging to make sure it’s not damaged, unsealed or bulging, and assess the freshness of the food by looking out for unusual colour or odour on the food. The Gauteng Department of Health issued a statement to urge customers to buy food from reputable sellers with valid permits to operate. In addition to the statement by the Department of Health, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi urged the communities to remain vigilant when purchasing goods from spaza shops and other informal food outlets. He also said that municipalities would be expected to establish a system for regular health inspections by health authorities to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. This month’s feature article is based on the Census 2022 provincial profile: Limpopo (Report No. 03-01-78), published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on 27 June 2024. Look out for our monthly crossword puzzle and the solutions for October 2024.

Download Mbalo brief – November 2024