PRUDENCE MUSERA
Soweto- The Department of Environmental Health in the City of Johannesburg has temporary closed two FOOD LOVERS MARKET stores in Soweto.
The closure of these outlets, one in Jabulani and another in Diepkloof, was precipitated by a video, which went viral on social media, showing a rodent inside a fridge where food was being kept.
The City’s Environmental Health inspectors have been monitoring the Food Lovers Market in Diepkloof since it opened in 2013, focusing mainly on rodent infestation. Before the latest video was leaked to the public, notices to comply with waste management, pest control, and hygiene requirements were issued to the outlet to no avail.The latest inspection exposed both outlets to not being fully compliant with numerous food safety regulations and recommended immediate remedial action.
The decision to inspect both Food Lovers outlets in Soweto followed an instruction from the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development,Dr Mpho Phalatse, who ordered an investigation into non-compliance to environmental health issues.
Dr Phalatse is adamant that food outlets that do not comply with environmental health provisions and continue to endanger the lives of residents would be shut down.
“I would like to commend environmental health practitioners who upheld the City’s service with pride objective and put the health of residents first,” said the MMC.
“Anyone operating a food outlet in the City of Joburg must adhere to food safety regulations, this is not negotiable,” she emphasises.
Dr Phalatse says the City’s environmental health practitioners will continue to act without fear or favour against people who transgress municipal bylaws.”
The Department of Environmental Health is mandated to ensure that business premises are complaint with provisions of applicable legislation and enforce such laws should a breach occur. Failure to remove conditions that are unsightly, offensive, hazardous, or detrimental to the health and well-being of people may result in litigation.
