Food for all
MIDRAND - City of Johannesburg's health department held an awareness campaign on 16 October to mark World Food Day.
The event took place at Midrand West Clinic. The purpose of the campaign was to increase understanding of problems and solutions to hunger.
Ashira Rugnanan, a City environmental practitioner, explained to patients at the clinic the importance of World Food Day.
She said, “The campaign is one of the City of Johannesburg’s environmental health campaigns. We are here to educate the public on food safety, personal hygiene and other health related matters this World Food Day. This day aims to empower people to understand food sustainability through growing food gardens. Proper hand washing techniques and how to avoid food poisoning (is also a focus).”
Rugnanan added, “The 2013 theme is ‘Sustainable food systems for food security and nutrition.’ At the start of each year the theme is announced by the Food and Agricultural Organization and United Nations.”
Margret Modise, a member of training and quality assurance personnel from Region A, encouraged patients to “be strict when it comes to hand washing, teach children to wash their hands before they eat – it is the only way to stop the spread of disease”.
Lamson Chirumbuna of the City’s vector control department said, “We are asking people to prepare food well and properly dispose of any leftovers. Leaving food lying around can encourage pests like cockroaches and rats which transmit diseases through contact with food or water. People must also not buy canned foods whose containers have a big or small dent as they may cause food poisoning.”
