The recent outbreak of listeriosis has caused many people to think twice before they buy food, especially ready-to-eat food, from street vendors.
But, local business people such as Pieter du Plessis – who runs a fast-food business – believe that the spread of the listeria bacteria can be stopped by simply complying with the law.
Among the food items Du Plessis sells are chips, ham, bacon, polony, steak, vienna and russian sausages, which he said have been sourced from private meat processors and have been declared listeria-free.
“We have been issued a licence by the Rand West City Local City Municipality (RWCLM). It is very important for us to comply with the laws, specifically those pertaining to running a fast-food business. We need to make sure that the food we serve our customers is of good quality and that the products we use are healthy and fresh. A clean and germ-free premises is also of the utmost importance,” Du Plessis explained.
“All these aspects are important to the people we serve. Some have ultra-sensitive stomachs and if they eat anything that is not up to standard, they immediately fall ill,” he said.
Du Plessis urged other business owners to follow suit and take the instructions issued by the Department of Health seriously.
According Themba Makhoba, Manager for Environmental Health, consumers should not buy food from people or businesses that do not have the required licence.
“According to the law, the certificate/ licence must be displayed on the shop’s wall, where the public can see it. If you can’t see it, you are entitled to ask the business owner to show it to you,” Makhoba said.
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