South Africa is in the grips of a food safety crisis, with children losing their lives and others falling ill due to contaminated products in recent weeks. While the focus has been on informal food vendors, ProVeg South Africa warns that the broader food system urgently needs reform to prevent recurring public health disasters.
“We’re seeing an alarming pattern of food-related illnesses, particularly involving animal products,” says Wikus Engelbrecht, communications manager at ProVeg South Africa.
“It’s a systemic issue, and unless we address the root causes – ranging from unregulated food production to a lack of consumer education – this crisis will repeat itself.”
Foodborne illnesses a disaster
A raid in Gauteng last week revealed counterfeit pilchards and expired meat products being relabelled, reflecting deeper cracks in the system. Similar incidents, including the stuffing of dog food into sausages and the discovery of expired goods as old as 2021, have heightened public concern.
Community outrage has boiled over, with Soweto residents threatening to burn down spaza shops after a child was hospitalised due to contaminated food.
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Engelbrecht points out that foodborne illnesses are not just isolated to informal markets but are also tied to broader practices in the industrial food system.
“Animal-based products are particularly prone to contamination and spoilage,” he explains, adding that the risks extend to zoonotic diseases and global pandemics. “These dangers are exacerbated by the growing demand for animal-based foods and insufficient oversight.”
ProVeg highlights the historical backdrop of food-related outbreaks in South Africa, including the devastating listeriosis epidemic of 2017, the avian flu panic of 2023, and recurring swine fever cases. Globally, the risks of zoonotic diseases – like Covid-19 and avian flu – continue to underline the urgent need for a transition to plant-based food systems.
Consumer education, stricter regulations needed
“This isn’t just about avoiding the next pandemic,” Engelbrecht insists. “It’s about protecting lives today and ensuring that the food on our plates is safe, ethical, and sustainable.”
As South Africa grapples with its latest foodborne illness outbreak, Engelbrecht stresses the importance of consumer education.
“Many children don’t even know where their food comes from. Changing this narrative starts with empowering families to make safer, healthier, and more sustainable food choices,” he says.
ProVeg South Africa calls for stricter regulation, better food safety practices, and a national shift towards plant-based diets to mitigate the risks of future food crises. Engelbrecht concludes, “The question isn’t whether we can afford to change our food system – it’s whether we can afford not to.”
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