Blitz on dodgy PE eateries
Municipal health officials crack down on grimy, unhygienic food outlets in Central
Expired goods being sold, mouldy dough used to make vetkoek and filthy kitchens were exposed in a blitz through Port Elizabeth’s Central area by public health officials, as they cracked down on a string of illegal and grimy eateries on Thursday.
They shut the doors of about 14 shops for violating municipal by-laws and unhygienic conditions.
Food past its sell-by date was confiscated at five shops.
Four hawkers were also found to be non-compliant.
The municipal officials issued 11 fines of R2,000 each to shop owners for illegal dumping and not having a trade contract for the removal of refuse.
The food safety operation was led by public health portfolio head Lance Grootboom and deputy environmental health director Dr Patrick Nodwele in Central, the central business district and the taxi terminus off Govan Mbeki Avenue.
A usually bustling Parliament Street came to a standstill as the officials, clad in crisp white lab coats, made their way from shop to shop.
Some businesses quickly shut their doors as word spread that the municipality was inspecting kitchens and business licences.
The officials were determined to clamp down on businesses that did not adhere to hygienic food holding and preparation guidelines, as well as those that did not have operating permits and waste disposal contracts.
The metro team was split in two to cover a larger area.
Among those served with non-compliance warnings were Magilla Beef Shop and Allnite Cafe – both in Parliament Street.
Crates of sour milk, expired spices, unlabelled products and mouldy dough in a filthy washbasin were some of the factors that led to the city closing the doors of Magilla Beef Shop.Shop owner Emmanuel Nwachukwu begged the officials to let him keep his doors open.
The cluttered shop operates as a takeaway outlet, general dealer and a braai place.
The pungent smell of old oil permeated the air as Nodwele explained to Nwachukwu that the shop was a health risk.
To demonstrate that the oil was old, officials placed a spoon in the fryer – and it remained upright.
“I’m begging you guys to give me the space to do the recommendations that I was given by the health inspector who visited last week,” Nwachukwu said.
But, asked whether he had carried out any of the recommendations since then, he failed to show that any work had been done.
“If you close down the business, where will I get the money to fix the business? All my stock will expire,” he said.
The manager at Allnite Cafe, who only identified himself as Gasim, said he was unaware of the need for a certificate of acceptability for food premises or an operating licence.
His 24-hour cafe, which sells hot potato chips, among other things, was given a month to comply with the regulations.
The cafe had a squalid storeroom that also served as a bedroom, a filthy bathroom, unpainted walls and a kitchen that did not meet the minimum requirements to operate.Loxions owner Shaun Moodley was told to visit the municipality’s offices to fix an error with his business licence.
Meanwhile, the Hollywood Bets.net business failed to produce a business and entertainment licence.
Manager Sibongile Solwandle said she was only aware of the gaming zone having a liquor licence.
Grootboom said the purpose of the blitz was not to close down businesses but to create awareness and promote health and hygiene.
“We check whether shops that deal with food comply to the health standards,” he said.
“Shops that are not compliant in terms of their business licence, certificate of acceptability or trade agreements with the municipality to collect their waste have been handed notices.
“This operation will continue throughout the city.
“Where businesses are not compliant, they will be given a chance to become compliant.”Grootboom said the most common findings were unhygienic conditions in shops and failure to comply with the minimum hygiene standards.
“Most of the premises do not have refuse-removal and pest-control contracts in place.
“The owners have no idea who should remove their waste and where they have to take it,” he said.
Since a similar operation in Korsten last month, which saw nine business establishments shut down due to noncompliance, Grootboom said there has been an increase in applications to be compliant.
The next operation will focus on Uitenhage.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
FREE TO READ | Just register if you’re new, or sign in.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@heraldlive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.