By Thobeka Makume
The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Health Service has received over 1,000 applications for certificates of acceptability (COA) this week alone. This comes in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive for spaza shops to register, as part of heightened efforts to ensure food safety following a series of tragic foodborne illness outbreaks.
A certificate of acceptability is a legal requirement for food-handling establishments, confirming their compliance with hygiene and food safety standards.
President Ramaphosa’s Food Safety Directive
The push for stricter food safety regulations comes after the President’s recent announcement, highlighting the urgent need to address foodborne illnesses that have claimed the lives of at least 23 children in recent weeks.
Among the most recent cases was the death of a five-year-old boy in Soweto, who allegedly consumed contaminated snacks purchased from a spaza shop. This tragedy follows similar incidents nationwide, sparking public outcry and increased scrutiny on unregulated food establishments.
City of Cape Town’s Response
The City of Cape Town has ramped up efforts to facilitate compliance among food vendors. Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, explained that the city launched an online application process for COAs in July.
“City Health piloted its online COA application process in July. Our staff will continue assisting with paper-based applications, but we encourage applicants to go to the city’s website and make use of the tool. Certificates of acceptability are only awarded after all relevant documents have been submitted and verified, and a physical inspection of the premises has taken place,” Van der Ross said.
No Cost for Applications
The application process for a certificate of acceptability is free, and environmental health practitioners play a crucial role in guiding applicants through the requirements.
The COA process includes:
1. Submission of required documents.
2. Verification of the submitted materials.
3. A physical inspection of the premises by environmental health officials.
Only once all these steps are completed successfully is the COA granted, ensuring that food-handling establishments meet stringent safety standards.
Spike in Applications
Since the President’s announcement, there has been a sharp increase in applications, with over 1,000 submissions recorded in Cape Town alone this week. This surge highlights growing awareness and compliance among food vendors, particularly spaza shops, to align with legal requirements.
Importance of Compliance
Compliance with COA regulations is critical to prevent foodborne illnesses and protect public health. Recent incidents have underscored the devastating consequences of neglecting hygiene standards in food-handling establishments.
Van der Ross stressed the importance of vendors understanding their responsibilities:
“These certificates are not just a regulatory requirement—they are a critical safeguard to ensure that the food consumed by our residents is safe.”
Challenges for Spaza Shops
Many spaza shops, particularly in informal settlements, have faced challenges in navigating the COA application process. The City’s efforts to provide online and paper-based options aim to address these barriers and encourage widespread compliance.
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