Health officials conduct inspections at a local spaza shop to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
(The Post News)- Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has confirmed that the deadline for the registration of food handling outlets, including tuck shops and spaza shops, will not be extended beyond February 28, 2025.
This follows a previous extension granted in December 2024, which allowed business owners additional time to comply with new health and safety regulations. The initial 21-day registration period was mandated by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to a surge in foodborne illnesses that resulted in over 20 child fatalities.
Registration and Compliance EffortsAccording to government reports, 42,915 applications were received during the registration process, with 19,385 approvals granted. However, 1,041 non-compliant food outlets were forced to shut down due to failure to meet the required health standards.
Minister Hlabisa emphasized that while registration is essential, it does not automatically grant the right to operate. Business owners must also secure trading licenses, which include inspections by Environmental Health Practitioners to verify compliance with food safety regulations.
The government has intensified enforcement measures, deploying multidisciplinary teams to conduct door-to-door compliance checks. These efforts have resulted in the confiscation of unsafe food products and the closure of establishments that fail to meet hygiene standards.
Furthermore, authorities have strengthened inspections at all 71 ports of entry to prevent the circulation of unregulated food, medicines, and pesticides. A notable seizure included 470 liters of illegal pesticides at a bonded warehouse, preventing their distribution within South Africa.
As the deadline approaches, Minister Hlabisa urged all food business owners to ensure compliance to avoid closure. “Our primary objective is to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of our food supply chain,” he stated.For official updates and compliance requirements, business owners can visit the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs website: Ensuring food safety remains a shared responsibility between the government, businesses, and consumers, with stricter enforcement measures reinforcing accountability in the food industry.
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