Govt must ensure spaza shops are regulated, have licence to trade, says Phaahla
The comment came after 5 children died after allegedly eating snacks bought from a local spaza shop in Naledi at Soweto Sunday.
Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Deputy Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said that government must ensure that spaza shops were regulated and had the necessary licence to trade.
The comment came after five children died after allegedly eating snacks bought from a local spaza shop in Naledi at Soweto Sunday.
ALSO READ: Poor regulation sees spaza shops selling contaminated food with impunity, says Phaahla
Meanwhile, more than 70 matric pupils were treated for suspected food poisoning in Carletonville on Thursday.
Phaahla was speaking at a Nutrition Week commemoration at the University of the Western Cape.
"When somebody says I'm going to run a restaurant or a food outlet in terms of retail, they must meet certain standards, and they must be inspected by environmental health practitioners. So, we are working together with the Gauteng province and the Johannesburg Municipality. Of course, it's dominantly in Gauteng - the last time it was also in Ekurhuleni."