By The Free State province experienced a spike in food poising cases over a two day period whereby almost a 100 learners were admitted and treated in different hospitals for alleged food poising in three different areas of the Free State.
Spaza shops make for convenient shopping and boost township economy, however, the Free State MEC for the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Ketso Makume, says he has noted with serious concern the recent high volume of complaints and allegations from the public regarding the sale of expired and counterfeit foods, which are harmful to the health of learners and the public.
Makume noted the reports and the recent incidents, of which he expressed deep concern about the safety and risks associated with the consumption of the alleged expired and counterfeit foods products.
The MEC committed to continue to conduct blitz inspections at various tuck shops, wholesalers, and food manufacturers to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“While we urge our communities not to take the law into their hands, we have to act swiftly on allegations of tuck-shops and wholesalers selling expired and counterfeit food products to the public.
Department’s Consumer Protection Directorate will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and other sector departments in operations across the province to prevent the sale of illicit goods and food products, especially to the school learners,” said MEC Ketso Makume.
Makume further affirmed that, based on the previous inspections, there were shops and or wholesalers who were found producing their products in unsanitary factories and putting fake labels of established brands on their counterfeit goods.
According to the MEC, not only does the counterfeit products pose a danger to lives of people, they deprive the government of crucial revenue that could have been invested in public services; it also has an adverse impact in attracting investment into the province.
MEC Ketso Makume says his department is working tirelessly to employ more inspectors to ensure the enforcement of the Free State Integrated Local Economy Development and Transformation Act of 2024.
The Free State Government through the Act will seek to provide for the promotion of and development of the Free State economy and create a conducive environment for the attainment of that purpose by:
Regulating ownership of certain business categories through prescribed quotas
Regulating the licensing business
Providing for exclusive ownership and operation of certain specified business categories for citizens
Providing mandatory and exclusive sourcing and procurement by the state organs a locally produced commodities
In helping the community and business people to understand the new legislation, the department will engage with stakeholders including communities, the South African Police Services, (SAPS), Municipalities, Business formations and other relevant stakeholders.
Members of society are urged to report any illegal and illicit trade immediately to the nearest police station or call department’s Consumer Protection Unit on 064 805 4449/073 603 0141/071 645 1075 or the departmental social media platform: Facebook- Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism; X @fsdestea; instagram: freestate_destea.
