Further unpacking listeriosis - Food Focus speaks at the National Press Club media briefing

The National Press Club invited Food Focus to join the panel at their media briefing on the 11^th January 2018, to address the listeriosis outbreak in more detail, taking into consideration the role of the private sector and local government.

The panelists were:

• Requier Wait from AgriSA, representing food producers;
• Linda Jackson from Food Focus, from the perspective of food compliance
• Matlou Setati from the Food Safety Initiative at the Consumer Goods Council, representing retail 
• MMC Sakkie du Plooy from the City of Tshwane from local government was invited, but declined the invitation shortly before the meeting commenced.

Food Focus was grateful for the opportunity to discuss this issue in a public forum, and along with our fellow panelists, we responded to the media questions.

Below are some of the topics which were touched on, and in order to ensure the information is conveyed correctly, we have put together a brief summary of our responses:

Q: What are the systems to control food safety in South Africa and what are the gaps?

Our response touched on the systems in place in the national retail sector with the mandatory audits and product testing requirements for processed foods

We highlighted that these controls only extend to retail suppliers and some food service suppliers.

We noted that the informal sector, other private retailers and wholesalers, restaurants, food service providers is based on the EHP inspections which can be problematic given the resources available. Our experience with enquiries on our website has indicated a low level of awareness of the basic legal requirements.

The monitoring of foodstuffs is addressed by legislation and food should be monitored to ensure compliance by the department of Health. There are contractual requirements in place with retail suppliers that also require testing which often exceeds the minimum requirements.

Q: Based on the information published by the Department of Health, is the control of this Listeria up to the consumer

Our response touched again on the legal requirements to ensure food produced is safe for human consumption. It is in our best interest as the food industry to ensure our consumers are safe. We are consumers too. Our reputations are affected if we don’t.

The WHO Five keys programme has provided consumers with the right behaviours to adopt. There is a lack of understanding of the importance of hygienic practices and it is imperative to educate. More should be done in this regard as required by the hygiene regulation.

The NICD have provided detailed information on the symptoms of listeriosis and vulnerable consumers. We should take note of shelf life requirements and labelling as this is industry talking to the consumer. We need their response.

We indicated that along with other role players in the food chain, consumers also have a role to play in the safety of any food they purchase.  Simple steps such as not leaving food in the boot of the car for extended periods, purchasing cold foods last in the supermarket, and following the labelling instructions carefully.

Q: Is our food safe?

The point was made that there is an ever-present risk of cross contamination both by the consumer and industry.  There are limitations of sampling of products for testing (especially for micro-organisms) despite all control measures.  In response to the journalists’ incorrect conclusion that “all food is therefore unsafe”, we reiterated that as an industry we are required to implement all the correct controls, that acceptable limits exist, and that the focus and commitment of the industry is to protect the consumer.

We also discussed the difference between the levels of food businesses in South Africa, where larger businesses are often certified, and have management systems in place, we also have a very wide informal sector of food businesses.

We explained that these may not seem as unsafe as one might assume, as the food is purchased and cooked immediately (since there is no access to cold storage) which means that shelf life is not as much of an issue in this case.  However, one of the challenges they do face is access to clean water, so even rinsing product in water may be a risk in these situations.

Further one on one interviews followed with the Pretoria News, Daily Sun, You Magazine and Moneyweb