Latest News
1228 Articles Found
Displaying Page 1 - Records
1 to
100
Restaurants take government to court over 'absurd' alcohol, social distancing rules
09 July 2020
A group of restaurants is heading to court to force the government to allow their patrons to drink alcohol with their meals.Led by Cape Town-based Chefs Warehouse restaurants, the group said in court papers filed on Wednesday that it wanted the matter to be heard on an urgent bas
Agricultural bodies cracking down on fake honey after complaints
07 July 2020
The Western Cape Bee Industry Association (WCBA) and agricultural advisory and food safety inspection services company, Impumelelo Agribusiness Solutions, are cracking down on honey fraud...
JSE fines Tongaat Hulett R7.5m for non-compliance
08 July 2020
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Wednesday issued a public censure and a maximum fine of R7.5 million on sugar producer Tongaat Hulett due to non-compliance with its listing requirements.
Chinese researchers warn of new virus in pigs with human pandemic risk
07 July 2020
A new flu virus found in Chinese pigs has become more infectious to humans and needs to be watched closely in case it becomes a potential "pandemic virus", a study said, although experts said there is no imminent threat.
Survey shows 68% of South Africans willing to eat out
07 July 2020
A new survey shows that many people will be visiting restaurants within the first 30 days of their opening for sit-down meals. The survey, by Dineplan, a reservation company, found that of the more than 3 300 people who responded, 68% said they would be eating out within the firs
Restaurants trading massively down one week after reopening due to alcohol ban
08 July 2020
Restaurant owners have doubts about their ability to turn any profits, or pay off huge debts accumulated in the past few months, given the lockdown restrictions on alcohol consumption.
South Africa VS Coronavirus: Exports keeping agriculture afloat
06 July 2020
In the sixth part of our series on the impact of COVID-19 on South Africa, we look at the agriculture sector, where the citrus industry is exporting record volumes to Asia, following a surge in demand for lemons.
COVID-19: FASSI issues guidelines for washing fruits and vegetables - Here are some dos and don'ts
06 July 2020
With the emergence of a global pandemic, people became more aware and specific about the food they consume and the way they consume it. Hence, it is essential to ensure the cleanliness of the food you consume.
Food safety goes hand-in-hand with COVID-19 safety this year
03 July 2020
Planning to enjoy a picnic, barbecue, or meal under the summer sun on this holiday weekend? In addition to food safety, remember to practice social distancing — stay 6 feet apart from others you don’t live with — and follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s safety
SA’s biggest agriculture showcase is going virtual
03 July 2020
After almost six decades in which it grew to be one of the biggest privately-owned agricultural exhibitions in the southern hemisphere, the annual Nampo Harvest Day will be going virtual this year, organisers Grain SA announced. Due to the covid-19 pandemic the iconic agricultura
Pilgrim’s Pride Recalls Nearly 60,000 Pounds of Chicken Nuggets
02 July 2020
The frozen, ready-to-eat nuggets may be contaminated with a flexible rubber material.
Fresh Express salad recall includes 90 products - all from same plant
02 July 2020
Naming additional retailers in relation to a parasitic outbreak associated with bagged salad mixes, U.S. officials are confident in evidence that is showing a Fresh Express production plant implicated in previous recalls and outbreaks is the likely source of contaminated products
Meat processing plants: COVID-19 hotspots in Europe
30 June 2020
While we have witnessed a COVID-19 outbreak at a Melbourne meat processor in May, there are many more outbreaks happening at meat and poultry facilities across the US and Europe...
Six New Members Join South African Plastics Pact
29 June 2020
Since the launch of the South African Plastics Pact on 30 January 2020, CCBSA, RCL Foods, Berry Astrapak, Palletplast, the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) and the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) have all signed up to demonstrate their commitment to reducing plastic
Dissolving biofilms with a yeast-based solution
26 June 2020
Removal of biofilms is crucial for the food industry, as they can potentially cause large-scale product contamination. Harsh cleaning products and detergents called surfactants combined with scrubbing are the most effective methods of removing biofilms. However, biofilms are noto
SA's diesel shortage: Some farmers struggle to find fuel to harvest and deliver their crops
26 June 2020
South Africa may face a maize meal crunch as diesel shortages start to affect food production. South Africa has been rationing diesel since last month. Local fuel producers said the sharp increase in demand following months of lockdown had caught them by surprise...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Joint Statement from USDA and FDA on Food Export Restrictions Pertaining to COVID-19
26 June 2020
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D., issued the following statement regarding food export restrictions pertaining to COVID-19...
85 Million Americans Avoid Buying Food With Top 9 Allergens
26 June 2020
A new study from Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) reveals that 85 million Americans avoid buying food with the top nine allergens in it because either they have allergies or members of their households have them. This consumer group...
Food prices will fall as country's economy recovers from Covid-19, says Competition Commission
25 June 2020
The Competition Commission says it expects food prices to fall and has vowed to monitor retailers to make sure savings are passed on to consumers.The commission’s acting spokesperson, Siyabulela Makunga, said the commission had been vigilant in responding to consumer complaints o
What explains the high rate of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in meat and poultry facilities?
25 June 2020
Question: What explains the high rate of Sars-CoV-2 transmission in meat and poultry facilities? Brief answer:The working environment in these facilities is favourable to SARS-CoV-2 persistence (metallic surfaces, low temperatures and relative humidity).The working environment ma
Restaurants can reopen but what are the rules from government?
24 June 2020
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that under continued level 3 regulations, leisure businesses such as hotels, restaurants, casinos and cinemas would be allowed to reopen and operate while adhering to strict physical distancing guidelines...
China Stops Poultry Imports From Tyson Foods Due to COVID-19 Concerns, Clamping Down on Inspections
25 June 2020
China is taking action to block imports and control what is feared to be a second wave of the virus in the country.
Sea Harvest forced to shut its doors over coronavirus contraventions
25 June 2020
With the West Coast fast becoming a Covid-19 hot spot, Sea Harvest, one of the region's biggest employers, was forced to shut its doors after being found to be in contravention of the Health and Safety Act...
The value of accreditation in improving food safety
19 June 2020
Sanas World Accreditation Day dialogue discussed the impact of good food safety practices on public health
Which Foods May Be Contaminated With Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteria?
19 June 2020
Which foods may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria? Outbreaks of listeriosis, the illness caused by this pathogen, that have been linked to these kinds of foods go back to 1985. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have put together a list of foods tha
How restaurants expect to operate under ‘advanced’ level 3 lockdown
18 June 2020
A number of businesses would be able to reopen under an ‘advanced’ level 3 lockdown, including sit-down restaurants, says small business development minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. In a number of interviews this week, Ntshavheni said that the decision to open sit-down restaurants
We are ready to open today: South African restaurants
12 June 2020
South African restaurant closures are beginning to pile up – which is to be expected, given that the country is 74 days into what has been a strict lockdown sought by government to prevent the spread of Covid-19...
South Africa's superhero dietitians
12 June 2020
As Covid-19 has spread across the world, we have seen dietitians at the frontlines of the health response supervising life-sustaining nutrition in hospitals and care homes. Many have also been working remotely, helping patients manage their health and nutrition under lockdown...
Dodgy hand sanitiser may cause big problems for stores - as fears over side-effects grow
12 June 2020
Stores could be facing a rush of lawsuits if people develop health issues from hand sanitiser, an underwriting firm warns.In the rush to source sanitiser, stores might be using product that is using poor quality or harmful ingredients.Stores are in a tricky spot, as they're legal
Can we solve hunger in South Africa?
11 June 2020
As lockdown stimulates exciting new initiatives, the country must focus on ensuring access to quality food for all.
LGMA subcommittee looks at land near leafy greens fields
11 June 2020
The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has a new subcommittee that focuses on how land adjacent to leafy greens fields might contribute to foodborne illness outbreaks from romaine lettuce.
Alleged fake honey seized by DAFF appointed agent
11 June 2020
Impumelelo, the DAFF appointed agent to monitor honey quality, seized allegedly fake honey selling at R29.00 per 500g from three stores in Cape Town and Gauteng.
USDA FSIS to Expand STEC Testing to Additional Raw Beef Products
10 June 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) has announced plans to expand its routine verification testing for six Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) (non-O157 STEC; O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, or O145) as well as O157:H7.
Mom was right about not touching slime; researchers looking at pathogens in food facilities
10 June 2020
New research underway seeks to determine how and where bacteria hide in food processing plants so that they can be eliminated, to the benefit of public health and the bottom line of food companies.
RCL Foods warns of profit drop and writedowns due to Covid-19
09 June 2020
RCL Foods, which owns Rainbow Chicken and Selati Sugar, has warned of a drop in profits and writedowns of its businesses as Covid-19 hits South Africa’s food industry.
Dining industry still in ICU
09 June 2020
While restaurants have been allowed to provide delivery services and more recently takeaway food and alcohol under lockdown alert Level 3, the new normal has not been enough to cover a number of restaurants in the industry.
MSC debuts “Little Blue Label, Big Blue Future” campaign for World Oceans Day 2020
09 June 2020
World Oceans Day 2020 has been busy for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which kicked off its eight-week “Little Blue Label, Big Blue Future” campaign on 8 June to honor the United Nations-observed festivity.
WHO urges caution as countries in Africa ease lockdowns
05 June 2020
Brazzaville, 28 May 2020 – Three months after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in sub-Saharan Africa, the region has made progress in tackling the virus. Many countries implemented lockdowns and key public health measures early and these appear to have helped slow down the
7 dead after drinking toxic homemade alcohol at Cape Town house party
05 June 2020
Seven people have died after drinking homemade alcohol. Thirteen others have been hospitalised, of which five are in a critical condition, after they consumed the brew that was tainted with methanol.
Proposal to allow sit-downs at restaurants being drafted: Minister
04 June 2020
Tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says her department is putting together a proposal to submit to the National Coronavirus Command Council to allow restaurants to open up more services under lockdown level 3. Kubayi-Ngubane detailed how the restaurant sector can function
New Grocery Survey Finds Fewer Shoppers Taking Safety Precautions To Prevent Coronavirus
02 June 2020
A new survey compares the coronavirus’s impact on grocery shopper behavior from April to May and finds that fewer people are taking important safety measures to reduce their risk. Fewer shoppers report washing their hands after grocery shopping, minimizing their visits to the sup
The impact of Covid-19 on South Africa's agriculture economy
01 June 2020
We are all living through something the severity of which we have never experienced before and are currently in the 64rth day of lockdown. There have, of course, been pandemics before. The plague or Black Death of the mid-1300s resulted in between 75 and 200 million human deaths,
FDA rolls back food rules for 5th time during pandemic
28 May 2020
Manufacturers may now substitute ingredients without relabeling, and vending machine operators may ditch calorie information
Food safety focus: Turning up the heat on composting
28 May 2020
Sometimes we need to take a step back from life’s challenges and marvel at Earth’s natural biological cycles happening all around us. Composting is a seemingly magical process that decomposes organic materials like green waste or animal manures through microbial fermentation, cre
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure: Researchers turn bread waste into vitamin C
27 May 2020
US researchers have devised a bioprocess that converts glucose from bread waste into value-added products such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
10 biofilm hot spots in meat processing environments
27 May 2020
Biofilms are comprised of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix that normally adhere to a surface. In the food processing environment, they can be the cause of food spoilage or the transmission of foodborne pathogens. A new study published in the International Journal
Restaurant association loses appetite for continued ban on sit-down meals
26 May 2020
The Restaurant Collective, an association of sit-down restaurants, said on Monday the industry needed to open and was ready to do so.The association was reacting to President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Sunday that restaurants would not be allowed to open to sit-down custom
Tiger Brands eyes ‘significant’ job cuts on coronavirus
26 May 2020
South African food producer Tiger Brands is looking to cut “significant” numbers of jobs and has scrapped its interim dividend due to supply disruptions and margin pressures linked to the coronavirus, it said on Monday.
Soup kitchens can no longer be policed or controlled, court says
26 May 2020
In a statement released on Sunday, 1 000 Women Trust said the Department of Social Development “proposed to control, manage and determine who can run a soup kitchen”.
Restaurant Association is taking GOVT to court over deliveries-only decision
22 May 2020
The businesses now say that operating on deliveries is not profitable and is killing their eateries.
Covid-19: South African food giant’s international business plunges into the red
22 May 2020
Effects of lockdown and delays at Cape Town port slash exports
Covid-19 is a health crisis but a looming food catastrophe, too
22 May 2020
Concerns around potential meat shortages – and spillovers into other parts of the food system – are putting intense pressure on political leaders to respond more aggressively, as seen in the US, where President Donald Trump ordered meat plants to re-open to avert a looming crisis
Spread of foodborne pathogens continues to climb, CDC says
21 May 2020
This CDC report shows foodborne pathogens are increasing across the board, and chicken and leafy greens were specifically called out as notable culprits in transmission. These two sectors were largely responsible for instances of salmonella, cyclospora and listeria infection.
The sale of Burger King South Africa is being renegotiated because of the coronavirus
22 May 2020
In a shareholder statement on Thursday (21 May), the group said that the parties involved are renegotiating the terms and conditions of the disposal and that shareholders will be updated if renegotiations are successful.
SA Lockdown: McDonald's wants drive-thrus open
22 May 2020
"We've humble and we're thankful for opening up delivery but it's just over 10% of our total business, it is almost like taking our eight million customers a month and saying go use delivery," said McDonald's South Africa CEO Greg Solomon.
Coronavirus | Why the risk of a meat shortage is different in SA
19 May 2020
Large numbers of employees at US meat-processing facilities tested positive for the virus, and the spread of infections near US meat packing plants increased at a nearly twice the national average, according to Bloomberg. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention found tha
Top label causes of food recalls
26 May 2020
Allergens, followed by expiry dates and foreign language issues were the major labelling causes for food recalls across Europe over more than five years, according to Steve Spice, regulatory manager at Ashbury.
Meet the startup tackling plastic waste with seaweed
18 May 2020
The sustainable packaging startup has been working with brands including JustEat, Unilever and Lucozade and believes it will compete directly with plastic in a few years.The sustainable packaging startup has been working with brands including JustEat, Unilever and Lucozade and be
Avocado export estimate down 13% due to COVID-19
18 May 2020
Despite having taken an initial knock in demand on international and local markets as a result of global trade and movement restriction to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, South Africa’s avocado growers are now seeing a steady, positive turnaround.
Frequently asked questions on how to prevent and manage Covid-19 infections in the workplace
18 May 2020
We firmly believe that if done responsibly, the economy in the Western Cape can open up while preventing the spread of Covid-19, and so we are committed to supporting businesses through this crisis. The following guidelines aim to assist business to implement the necessary health
Ensuring food safety with inspection equipment
15 May 2020
It seems like only yesterday that food companies began scrambling to ensure compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). In actuality, it is approaching a decade since President Barack Obama signed FSMA into law on Jan. 4, 2011...
Although coronavirus dominates the headlines, other safety concerns still matter
15 May 2020
While the coronavirus is the here and now, other safety concerns are still important. Processors still need to be mindful of sanitation, slip and fall injuries, electrical and mechanical hazards, and physical violence.
Covid-19 pandemic spurs on new hand washing innovation
14 May 2020
A couple that had to close their salon business as a result of the coronavirus pandemic is now supplying outdoor hand-washing stations using old oil drums...
SA fresh fruit industry enters 'dark room, looking for the light'
15 May 2020
It is as if South Africa's fresh fruit industry has entered into a "dark room and is looking for the light" due to widespread uncertainty related to the coronavirus pandemic and government regulations, according to Justin Chadwick of the Citrus Growers Association...
Salmonella prompts recall of more than half a million eggs
13 May 2020
A number of supermarkets in France have recalled eggs sold under different brand names due to possible Salmonella contamination.According to the French magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs the recall covers more than 500,000 eggs but there have been no official communications fr
Dutch report improved hygiene habits during coronavirus lockdown
13 May 2020
Dutch people are paying more attention to hygiene in the kitchen, according to a survey measuring attitudes and habits during the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns...
Level 4: Could restaurants allow customers to go and collect food?
12 May 2020
Industry experts believe that giving the public the option to collect food could save many businesses. But will restaurant rules change in Level 4?
The effects of Covid-19 on food and agriculture traceability
12 May 2020
Scrutiny in food production has steadily increased due to food safety recalls, consumer demand, and sustainability efforts. The pandemic intensified this scrutiny.
Enough to kill COVID-19? Seafood company uses ionized hydrogen peroxide to keep food, workers safe
12 May 2020
The safety of food is a major concern as people worry about the novel coronavirus. As people use antiseptic wipes to wipe down doorknobs and kitchen counters in homes, large-scale facilities are exploring new technologies to keep their environment clean...
4 CT Woolies stores shut after staff members test positive for Covid-19
11 May 2020
At least one staff member tested positive for COVID-19 at each store.
FDA provides food safety checklist for restaurants before reopening
11 May 2020
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has drafted a 17-page document that details interim guidance on how businesses, schools, churches, mass transit and other organizations should handle safely reopening to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Agriculture crucial to KZN’s post-covid-19 recovery
11 May 2020
Provincial economic recovery plan will focus on women, youth and persons with disabilities.Agriculture is well positioned to help KwaZulu-Natal emerge from the covid-19 crisis, and will have an important role to play in the province’s economic recovery plan...
The COVID-19 Pandemic & Food Safety: An Eyewitness to the Global War against the Invisible Enemy
11 May 2020
The unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19, named by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020] pandemic reminds us of the horrible previous pandemics, including the H1N1/Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918, killing more than 50 million people...
Tips For Handling Flour Safely to Avoid Food Poisoning
11 May 2020
When an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in 2009 was linked to the flour used in prepackaged cookie dough, many people were shocked. How could flour, which seems so innocuous, actually be contaminated with such a serious pathogen? Flour is dry.
SA blueberry output rises to 18,000 tons
29 April 2020
South Africa’s blueberry production increased to 18,000 tons in 2019/2020 from 11,700 the previous season, an industry association said on Wednesday.
Surge in poisonings amid US rush for disinfectants
28 April 2020
Poisonings related to cleaners and disinfectants surged in the US last month as the global pandemic spurred a haphazard rush to disinfect everything.
Food processing and manufacturing: Minimising the risk of exposure to COVID-19
28 April 2020
A useful guide was published by Safe Work Australia this week to assist food manufacturers, you should check it out
Renewal of your pest control officer’s registration not affected by COVID 19
24 April 2020
All businesses to be aware that as pest control is an essential service, the renewal of your pest control officer’s registration has not been affected by COVID 19
How SA companies are failing their employees during Covid 19
23 April 2020
South Africa’s labour market is notorious for unsafe workplace practices, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tiger Brands coronavirus closure may just be the first, chamber warns
17 April 2020
The closure underscores the ease with which the coronavirus has spread, even in businesses deemed as essential services. South Africa and countries around the world are considering reopening their economies for business.
Fry Group Foods shut its factory in Durban after an employee tested positive for COVID-19
17 April 2020
Fry Group Foods — a producer of plant-based food — has temporarily closed its Durban factory after an employee tested positive for Covid-19.
Covid-19 shuts down Coke's biggest manufacturing plant in Gauteng
23 April 2020
Beverage giant Coca-Cola has been forced to shut down one of its biggest manufacturing plants in Gauteng after an employee tested positive for Covid-19.
Covid-19: Checkers in Ballito Junction closed after employee tests positive
16 April 2020
Checkers Ballito Junction closed its doors on Tuesday after one of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.
Tiger Brands closes Albany bakery in Durban after workers test positive for Covid-19
16 April 2020
Food manufacturing giant Tiger Brands has temporarily closed its Durban bakery after its staff tested positive Covid-19.
Riots spark fear over safety of food transporters
17 April 2020
Dr John Purchase, the CEO of Agbiz, said that as lockdown restrictions continued to have an effect on the ability of South Africa’s poorer communities to access and afford food the risk of food riots will continue to rise and the safety of those transporting food was a growing co
SA alcohol industry donates 40K litres for sanitiser, providing instant relief
17 April 2020
The alcohol industry has mobilised to save South Africa from the persistent shortage of hand sanitiser, reports Refilwe Moloto. Give the alcohol industry a Bell's!
Woolworths launches contactless drive-through shopping
16 April 2020
Woolworths has announced that it will be expanding its shopping options to customers through its new contactless, Click & Collect drive-through service.
'We're living hand to mouth' to supply rice, pasta to customers - Tiger Brands CEO
08 April 2020
A weaker rand is expected to place cost pressures on Tiger Brands, particularly when it comes to rice imports - while stricter hygiene and safety standards may result in delayed distribution of staple foods.
We need to monitor food security as closely as our health
06 April 2020
The inherent risk of neglecting our agricultural sector, as well as the formal and informal supply chains it sustains, is simply too ghastly to contemplate. An "Arab spring" uprising among hungry people must never be allowed to happen in South Africa, writes Dan Kriek.
The end of Gourmet Burger Kitchen
06 April 2020
Famous Brands has said it will no longer fund its loss-making Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurants in the UK
EFSA assesses health risks of aflatoxins in food
31 March 2020
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a risk assessment on aflatoxins in food.
Coffee Grounds - making use of food waste during lockdown
30 March 2020
Making use of food waste during this time of lockdown is a great idea. Can you use coffee grounds in outside spaces? If so, how and where should we use them? Find out more.
'We have been flooded with calls': government on food delivery services during lockdown
27 March 2020
The department of tourism on Wednesday reiterated its stance on the operation of food delivery services saying they will be not be allowed to operate during the 21-day nationwide lockdown in the country.
Coronavirus lockdown in SA: These are the businesses that can operate
26 March 2020
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced a countrywide lockdown, part of which is that only certain categories of businesses can remain open.
Food wholesalers seek help over unwanted produce
27 March 2020
Trade group says £20m of meat, fruit and veg is lying in storage after restaurants closed
SA food security assured as virus closes global export markets
26 March 2020
Food producers will have to find alternative markets locally as the Covid-19 outbreak could put a damper on South Africa’s record harvest projections for the year, according to experts. But this also meant that South Africans should stop panicking about food security for now.
Covid-19 | 'It's unfair,' says restaurant industry as government imposes strict regulations
26 March 2020
The restaurant industry says it does not have a clear picture of what exactly the newly gazetted alcohol curfew by the government in response to the coronavirus pandemic will entail for their operations.
Coronavirus: Boil water before drinking, says the Dept of Water and Sanitation
19 March 2020
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has urged people living in rural areas to boil water before drinking, cooking or cleaning.
Taste liquidates Domino’s in South Africa 770 jobs affected
18 March 2020
Taste Holdings has announced that it will be liquidating its food business in South Africa with immediate effect, following the group’s failure to sell the Domino’s licence in the country.
Coronavirus panic buying: Call for 'elderly hour' at major retailers
18 March 2020
Cape Town – A call has gone out to retail stores to institute an “elderly hour” for those vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus, as thousands of shoppers have raided shelves in a panic-buying splurge.
Page 1 of 13
