Authorities crack down on the sale of expired meat
General manager of Sapa’s broiler organisation Izaak Breitenbach said, "There is no shortage of fresh chicken in South Africa, despite the impact of Covid-19, so there is no excuse for shops selling meat past its sell-by dates – a potentially dangerous threat to consumers’ health."
The South African Poultry Association (Sapa) commends Gauteng authorities for cracking down on the sale of meat, including chicken, which has passed its expiry date.
An operation led by Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko and Provincial Police Commissioner Elias Mawela removed expired meat products from shops in Evaton and Orange Farm in Southern Johannesburg recently.
The law enforcement agencies led by MEC @FaithMazibukoSA have discovered expired chicken livers, gizzards, necks and margarine at Roots Butchery in Eyethu Mall in Orange Farms. The food products were on shelves ready to be sold to consumers. #OkaeMolao #GautengCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/f2yOZSHuSp
— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) April 30, 2020
Sapa congratulated authorities on this action which is in the interest of public health and safety. They encouraged health authorities in other provinces to undertake similar steps.
General manager of Sapa’s broiler organisation Izaak Breitenbach said, “It is important that consumers check sell-by or expiry dates on all food items.”
“South African chicken complies with stringent local regulations on packaging and labelling of chicken products and sell-by dates are clearly marked,” said Breitenbach.
He continued, “There is no shortage of fresh chicken in South Africa, despite the impact of Covid-19, so there is no excuse for shops selling meat past its sell-by dates – a potentially dangerous threat to consumers’ health.”
Breitenbach said that the country’s poultry farmers are producing more than enough chicken to feed the nation and supply chains will ensure that it reaches retailers across South Africa.
He added that chicken is the main source of protein meat for South Africans and it is important for national food security that the supply chain remains unbroken.
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