South Africa to implement new processed food regulations after listeriosis outbreak

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, October 3, 2019
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JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's quality watchdog on Wednesday said new processed food regulations would come into effect next week after a listeriosis outbreak claimed over 180 lives in the country nearly two years ago.

Any company that fails to comply with the new regulations set to protect consumers against safety and health risks posed by production of processed meat would face stiff penalties and prosecution, said the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).

NRCS Spokeperson Miriam Moswaane told Xinhua that the regulations would be used to hold food companies accountable.

"While we would allow them to correct the products, if the products can't be corrected, we will seize and destroy them. If they are imports, we will return them to the country of origin," she said.

Moswaane said the regulatory body would send inspectors to food companies.

"We are being mandated to enforce the regulations ... This is also to check how products are being handled and also looking at safety measures," she said.

"This is an important step in ensuring that consumers are protected against harmful food-borne bacteria," said Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade and Industry.

"Our food industry is important to the country's economic development and job creation," said Patel. Enditem

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