Johannesburg: In November 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that spaza shop owners and food businesses had 21 days to register their businesses with their respective municipalities. This move followed hundreds of cases of foodborne illnesses in parts of the country, where nearly 30 people, including children, passed away after consuming snacks purchased at some spaza shops last year.
According to South African Government News Agency, after the directive was issued by the President in November, an extension was granted for spaza shops and other food handling outlets to register by 28 February 2025. This extension provided additional time for businesses to comply with the new registration requirements.
The directive to register spaza shops is a measure intended to prevent dangerous foodborne illnesses and protect communities. The requirement aims to ensure that all food outlets adhere to safety standards, thereby reducing the risk of contaminated food reaching consumers.
Law enforcement agencies have been urged to act on shops selling expired food, highlighting the government’s commitment to food safety. By mandating registration, authorities seek to ensure better monitoring and regulation of food handling practices across the nation’s food businesses.