COMPLIANT FOOD SALES ALLOWED WITHIN SCHOOL PREMISES
19 November 2024
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) wishes to provide an update on the sale of food within schools in the province by food vendors, tuck shops and traders. This follows the President’s address on Friday, 15 November 2024, concerning the deaths of children due to foodborne illnesses.
In line with the President’s address, compliance requirements must be adhered to by all vendors, tuck shops and traders to regulate food sales on school premises and ensure that food is free from harmful substances, and is properly handled and stored to prevent contamination, spoilage, or the risk of causing illness.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has issued Circular of Incidents of Food Poisoning, which serves as a guiding framework for schools, vendors, and school communities regarding food sales.
To ensure the safety and health of learners in Gauteng schools, specific compliance requirements have been introduced to regulate food sales on school premises:
- All tuck shops, traders, and vendors must comply with legal requirements, by-laws, and food management regulations in order to operate on school premises
- Unregistered sellers must register with the relevant authorities within 21 days, effective from Friday, 15 November 2024
- Vendors operating on school premises are required to obtain a valid Certificate of Acceptability (CoA), as per the Food Stuffs, Cosmetics, and Disinfectants Act and the General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, Transport of Food, and Related Matters (Regulations No. 638 of 22 June 2018).
- Districts and schools must ensure that all food vendors within the school premises are in possession of a verified CoAs
- CoAs must be verified and can be confirmed by an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) at your respective municipal office.
Tuck shops, vendors and traders may proceed to operate on school premises only if they comply with these requirements, as per the regulations, or upon after completing necessary verification and compliance. School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and School Management Teams (SMTs) are reminded of their responsibility to ensure food vendors comply with all guidelines and regulations, including verifying that food items are sourced from reputable suppliers and does not contain harmful substances.
Districts and schools are also required to implement specific measures. This includes submitting daily reports on food-related incidents using a standardised template, sharing food safety tips and awareness materials to prevent foodborne illnesses, and following the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Guidelines. Schools are also instructed to adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing suspected food poisoning cases to ensure swift and effective responses.
Schools are urged to enforce all guidelines and regulations strictly. Any instances of non-compliance should be reported promptly to the relevant District Office or the Consumer Goods Council on 0800 041 856 / 011 355 8006 / [email protected]. Should there be concerns about the hygiene or safety of foods, the local authority or EHP must be contacted for inspection and where required an inspection report be issued.
“The Department remains committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of learners. Schools, parents, and communities are encouraged to work together to ensure compliance with these measures and maintain a safe learning environment for all,” said Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Matome Chiloane.
Statement issued by for Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, 19 November 2024
