Review calls for the establishment of a food safety agency in South Africa

South African researchers have recommended the creation of a single food safety authority to tackle food fraud and improve consumer health protection.

They said a centralized national food control authority, if equipped with sufficient resources, would streamline enforcement efforts and increase investigative capabilities.

In a review, the team looked at factors contributing to food fraud, including inadequate penalties, a lack of government involvement, complex labeling regulations, non-compliant street vendors, e-commerce and online food sales, and a shortage of inspectors and food testing. laboratories.

The work, published in the magazine BMC Public Healthincluded 27 documents, including 17 articles, eight legislative documents and two government directives or strategic documents from 2000 to 2023.

The current system involves multiple government agencies with overlapping responsibilities, such as the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Health (DoH) and Trade and Industry. Food control authorities are fragmented and have no centralized governing body, and some regulations are more than forty years old.

Researchers said a food control authority could inspect, sample and certify food manufacturers, suppliers and retailers and provide food certification for import and export control. Such an agency could help prevent and detect food fraud. For example, it could develop and implement standards for food traceability and authenticity and conduct audits to ensure compliance with these standards.

Scientists said there were conflicting reactions between the major Listeria outbreak and recent food fraud scandals, including the deaths of children allegedly caused by counterfeit food.

The largest outbreak of listeriosis occurred in South Africa between January 2017 and July 2018. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed 1,060 cases and 216 deaths. It was traced to polony made by Enterprise Foods, owned by Tiger Brands.

Consequences of fraud
In the fraud incidents, authorities have not issued any recalls or food warnings, and there is no evidence of efforts to strengthen regulations or enforcement, despite a plan to appoint patrols for cookie shops (also known as convenience stores). According to the study, such an inconsistent response raises concerns about prioritizing food safety measures.

South Africa also faces problems with food adulteration, such as mislabeled fish, counterfeit olive oil, illicit additives in drinks and high levels of pesticides in fruit.

Punishment for food fraud offenders remains uncertain, despite the deadly consequences, as evidenced by the deaths of children in Gauteng in 2002, Soweto and the West Rand in 2023, and Vredefort in 2023, all linked to the consumption of unsafe and adulterated food. Reliance on laboratory evidence for legal action also poses a significant obstacle.

Researchers say authorities’ inadequate response to food fraud is undermining food safety enforcement. It can legitimize the actions of unauthorized citizen groups, undermine the authority of environmental health experts, and create fear and uncertainty among consumers.

The review also notes the risk of fraud in the informal sector and through online food stores.

Researchers say future research should evaluate the impact of food fraud in the South African context, including its prevalence, public health implications and economic consequences.

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