By Thobeka Makhubela
Abattoirs (slaughterhouses) in Buyafuthi Hostel in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni have been issued with personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of efforts to promote safer food handling and curb incidents of poisoning in communities.
This is an initiative by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) together with its sister Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD). The PPE that was handed over to the small-scale slaughterhouses include long sleeves overalls and pants, rubber boots, aprons and protective gloves to use when processing meat.
Some of the recipients of the PPE include the Buyafuthi Butchery Meat and Chicken, as well as Funanani Kitchen Distribution. They also received essentials including cleaning solutions, dustbin buckets, knife sharpeners, knives and chopping boards.
Rachel Nditsheni, owner of Funanani Chicken Distribution said that she was grateful for the initiative by the provincial government as it has given her an opportunity to do business while ensuring compliance with food and meat safety standards.
“I would like to thank both departments for their assistance and ensuring that small businesses in townships are not only equipped with the knowledge on food safety, but with the necessary equipment to ensure that we indeed comply and sustain our businesses. The resources I have received will assist to ensure that my business performs well,” said Nditsheni.
The issuing of these essential equipment to the abattoirs is part of the GDoH’s continuous efforts to curb food safety incidents by ensuring that food handlers and vendors in townships, informal settlements and hostels are equipped with information on how to comply with food safety standards and have the correct equipment to maintain good hygiene.
Christina Mnisi, an Environmental Health Practitioner in the GDoH emphasised the importance of promoting awareness on food safety and hygiene to safeguard the health of customers.
“In addition to the food inspections we conduct across various food retailers, we also ensure that we provide the necessary education to the owners and people working in these shops. We also educate communities about the dangers of food borne diseases and empower them with food safety tips such as food handling, preparation, storage, the importance of checking food expiry labels and hand washing before handling food,” pointed out Mnisi.
The Deputy Director for Veterinary Public Health at GDARD, Dr Yemi Akarele said that government acknowledges the presence of the informal slaughterers within the food chain.
“They represent small and medium-sized enterprises, and we need to help them to eventually adhere to meat and food hygiene standards and establish reputable and registered butcheries and abattoirs within our communities,” said Dr Akerele.
In addition, the GDoH rendered a basket of health services to the community of Buyafuthi Hostel which include comprehensive health screening, HIV and TB Testing Services, EPI (Child Immunisation, Vitamin A and deworming, family planning, oral health, Pap smear and PSA amongst others.
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