Unlocking Food Safety: A Comprehensive Review of South Africa’s Food Control and Safety Landscape (2024)

By:
Khathutshelo Vincent Mphaga, Dingani Moyo, Phoka Caiphus Rathebe
Date:
2024
Resource type:
Blogs/news/opinion
Link:

This review explores food safety challenges in South Africa, including the impact of food fraud and the 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak. The study highlights the country’s fragmented food safety control system, limited regulatory framework for food fraud, and inadequate penalties that fail to deter fraudulent practices. Recommendations include establishing a unified food safety authority, enhancing laboratory testing capacity, and adopting new technologies to combat food fraud. This review calls for stronger food safety governance to protect consumers and rebuild trust in the food system.