Gauteng learner food safety requires health inspectors, not a blanket ban
11 November 2024
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Legislature is pursuing answers on the lack of health inspectors in the Province, which we believe may be at the root of the food safety crisis among vendors and tuck-shops at and near schools.
The DA has put in legislature questions to MEC Mamabolo, for him to answer us about the number and location of health inspectors across the Province. We need answers on vacancies for health inspectors, and why these remain vacant.
A lack of health inspectors speaks directly to unsafe, unfit, or dangerous food, which is tragically killing children in the Province.
Gauteng learners must have access to food in a safe manner, and safety inspections should be conducted regularly to ensure compliance with food safety standards. But instead of proper, scheduled health and safety inspections, the Gauteng province has imposed a blanket ban on vendors who sell food at schools – this is unacceptable as it will destroy these small businesses.