The City has given the Food Lovers Market outlet in Diepkloof, Soweto the green light to resume trading after shutting it down temporarily more than two weeks ago over a health scare.
The fruit and vegetable shop had to close down temporarily after an inspection by the City’s Environmental Health Department revealed the need for deep cleaning and fumigation. This came after a video, which went viral on social media showed a rodent inside a fridge where food was being kept.
Since its temporary closure, the City’s Environmental Health inspectors have put the store in Diepkloof under scrutiny to ensure general compliance with food safety regulations. The outlet resumed trading yesterday, Wednesday, 30 January.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development, Dr Mpho Phalatse urges all food traders in the City to comply with general safety regulations to avoid endangering the lives of residents and risk being shut down.
Before the latest video surfaced on social media, notices to comply with waste management, pest control, and hygiene requirements were ignored. Dr Phalatse was however pleased that management at the food outlet had given the City’s health inspectors their full cooperation during the temporary closure.
“We hope owners and managers of food outlets put systems in place to ensure ongoing compliance with the City's food safety regulations so our residents can be served in a dignified manner,” the MMC says, adding that the City will continue to scrutinise food outlets.
In addition, Pikitup, the City’s waste management entity has cleared out an illegal dumping spot next to the Mall. Dr Phalatse urges residents of Soweto to uphold general hygiene and refrain from illegal dumping.
“Though we note the problem of illegal dumping next to the mall, this should never be used as an excuse for food outlets to neglect their responsibility of keeping their premises in a hygienic state," she explains.
She commends all other food outlets at the Diepkloof Square for complying with the City's bylaws. Dr Phalatse emphasises the City’s environmental health practitioners will continue to act without fear or favour against people who transgress municipal bylaws.
