shloboe boe
Raymond Jaravaza, raymondjaravaza@gmail.com
THE sale of expired foodstuffs by vendors in the informal sector and in some tuck shops is a cause for concern as it poses health risks amid calls for the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to take action against unregulated food dealers.
The trend is exacerbated by smuggling from neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana, with authorities and private sector leaders also raising a red flag against the negative effects of smuggling.
The issue has generated debate during the full council meeting on Wednesday. In his submisison, Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu said urgent measures must be taken to protect the public.
“If we take a closer look at some of the foodstuffs that are sold by vendors in the market place area, at tuck shops and in some lettable shops around the city, the question that comes to mind is whether that food is okay for human consumption or not,” he said.
“Those foodstuffs do not meet the standards to be sold to residents. Council must act to make sure that residents are not sold unsafe food,” said Clr Ndlovu.
“It is well known that Bulawayo is the biggest trading partner with South Africa where most of these expired foodstuffs seem to be coming from. South Africa is taking action to rid their streets of the unregulated food. My question is, what is council doing to solve this problem where residents are exposed to expired food?”
In response, deputy chairperson of the Health, Education and Housing Committee Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo, said the council is facing manpower challenges to enforce by-laws.
“Councillors are fully aware of the state of our enforcement department, that the city is facing manpower challenges,” she said.
“However, council is making concerted efforts to make sure that our enforcement department stays on top of the situation as far as enforcing city by-laws,” said Clr Moyo.
The council has an environment and health department whose personnel is mandated to check food outlets and businesses that deal in food and enforce compliance.
“While South Africa is our biggest trading partner, council must always be on high alert to make sure that food outlets conduct their business in a manner that will not harm residents,” she said.
A few years ago, seven food outlets were fingered by BCC for selling expired foodstuffs to consumers following inspections by the council.
At the time, chicken products topped the list found unsuitable for human consumption during the inspections.
The affected foodstuffs from the shops were removed from shelves and disposed of appropriately.
mbulelo smpofu
