The South African government has declared foodborne illnesses a national disaster, following weeks of fatalities caused by toxic substances found in contaminated food.
Story Summary:
- The South African government has declared foodborne illnesses a national disaster after 22 fatalities, including six children, were linked to contaminated food.
- Hazardous agricultural pesticides like terbufos and aldicarb were found in food items sold by spaza shops and street vendors.
- The disaster declaration empowers stricter regulations, inspections, and penalties to prevent further outbreaks.
Government takes extreme measures to address mass food poisoning
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed the classification on Thursday, marking an urgent escalation in the nation’s response.
The decision stems from alarming reports of widespread food contamination that has claimed at least 23 lives in recent weeks, including six children in Naledi, Soweto.
Investigations revealed that agricultural pesticides, such as terbufos and aldicarb, which are strictly regulated or banned for household use, were present in food sold at spaza shops and by street vendors.
At the media briefing, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi highlighted that these toxic substances are not confined to spaza shops.
“Terbufos is being sold in taxi ranks, pension payout points, and by street vendors. This is a widespread issue,” he said.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen raised concerns over the origin of the pesticides, suspecting they may have been smuggled into the country from neighbouring states.
Laboratory tests are underway to confirm the source.
Foodborne illnesses declared a national disaster: Here’s what it means
Declaring foodborne illnesses a national disaster enables the government to marshal resources across departments to address the crisis comprehensively.
The declaration also empowers the government to implement urgent measures under Section 27 of the Disaster Management Act.
This includes:
- Mobilising personnel and resources from national agencies, such as healthcare workers and emergency responders.
- Regulating the distribution and sale of potentially hazardous food items.
- Facilitating the closure of non-compliant vendors and shops.
- Activating additional funding mechanisms for disaster recovery and public education campaigns.
The Act emphasises a structured response, with the National Disaster Management Centre coordinating efforts across provincial and local authorities.
Funding for these interventions, guided by Sections 56 and 57, will prioritise immediate relief and long-term mitigation, including the potential prosecution of vendors distributing unsafe goods.
Already, authorities are intensifying inspections, particularly in informal food outlets.
According to the Department of Agriculture, 84 spaza shops in Soweto were inspected, with three testing positive for terbufos.
Steenhuisen noted that the terbufos found in these shops did not match the appearance of locally produced pesticides, further fuelling suspicions of cross-border smuggling.
He explained that aldicarb, a pesticide banned in South Africa since 2016, has also been found alongside terbufos in some instances, exacerbating health risks.
The government has clarified the need for concrete evidence linking specific outlets to fatalities before prosecuting vendors.
However, authorities emphasise that such shops may still face closure for non-compliance with food safety standards.
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams called for a balanced approach, stating that while informal traders must comply with regulations, they are not solely responsible for the crisis.
“There are over 150,000 spaza shops in South Africa, and less than 50% have been implicated,” she said.
The disaster declaration also mandates stricter oversight of pesticide production, distribution, and usage.
This includes preventing the illegal sale of hazardous chemicals and strengthening penalties for violations.
