The Moretele Local Municipality in the North West has vowed to work closely with the local law enforcement authorities, to ensure that spaza shops in the area are compliant.
The municipality conducted an inspection over the weekend under the Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded programme led by Mayor George Manyike.
The inspections follow concerns over the rising incidents of food poisoning cases that have affected children at schools, leading to numerous hospitalisation and fatalities.
More than twenty children have died in Gauteng alone.
Municipal spokesperson Mothupi Malebye says two shops were closed in Dertig and Danhaus in Moretele.
“The inspection found poor hygiene standards in two of the shops, leading to their immediate closure.
One of the shops was fined R7 000 for selling expired food products.
Additionally, two other shops were found to be non-compliant with the municipality’s health standards and local by-laws,” said Malebye.
Moreover, thousands of cosmetics were also destroyed due to damaged packaging, improper labelling, and the presence of expired or prohibited substances, some of which could pose health risks, including the potential for skin cancer.
The municipality has announced the implementation of a comprehensive food safety plan aimed at ensuring safe food handling practices across the municipality that will affect all spaza shops and food traders.
Malebye added that follow up inspections will be carried out by health inspectors.