Cape Town: The City Health Department of Cape Town is urging general public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media platforms without knowing its reliable source. Numerous such incidents were reported over the past week which have now gone viral and has spread subsequent rumours, confirmed the officials.
It is said that the incidents are under investigation now after claims were shared widely even before the facts being established. Also, the department said that it is aware of the recent increase in complaints related to food safety.
According to them, they have received many allegations regarding foodstuffs that directly target the informal economy businesses. Complaints received this week includes alleged tablets found in snacks such as chips and biscuits. Not only this, but they also received a report regarding finding paraffin in cool drinks.
The Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) investigated complaints made about food safety and emphasised that they searched for work with businesses to prevent harm and take legal action, whenever necessary to protect consumers.
EHPs majorly rely on community members to act as what they sense through their eyes and ears. Considering this, the team urged them to report genuine food safety concerns that help the City of Cape Town in protecting health of the public.
They support that responsible reporting will further enable EHPs to investigate real risks, prevent foodborne illness and act against unsafe food premises. However, false, malicious, or deliberately fabricated complaints will continue to knock. These complaints mainly include cases where foodstuffs are sabotaged to create the appearance of contamination. These seriously undermines the work of the EHPs.
According to City Health officials such actions divert EHPs from critical investigations and outbreak responses. These actions waste scarce municipal resources on unfounded claims. They also cause reputational and financial harm to businesses. It may also lead to legal consequences or criminal charges for false statements.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham stated that the communities must be mindful of what circulates on social media as questions arise around the legitimacy and authenticity of the information shared.
Higham highlighted that not all posts are accurate which is why there is a strict need to verify them before sharing. If one has any genuine food concern, they must report it to the city and provide accurate information along with proofs, and as many details as possible.
Cllr Higham believes that together they can protect Cape Town from foodborne illness.
In the event of a Potential Food Safety incident, consider the following:
- See a doctor for medical confirmation, report to City Health, file an open SAPS case, and swear under oath on what transpired.
- Include details of the business, its location, product name and description, date and time of purchase or consumption.
- Provide the implicated foodstuff, photos or packaging where available, date markings, batch numbers and details of the problem (odour, appearance, foreign object, symptoms experienced) etc.
Cllr Francine Higham further said that the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) will investigate all the complaints received, but the investigations might take time to fully solved.
She assured that their team is conducting thorough investigations, by including patient interviews, business owner interviews, premises inspections, food sampling, detention and seizure of suspected foodstuffs, and considering legal actions for non-compliance. Higham urged Capetonians to remember that verifiable information enable EHPs to prioritise investigations and respond more quickly to genuine risks.