An escalation in foodborne illnesses – since July 2022 – has seen Cape Town’s microbiological lab testing nearly 5 000 food samples, just over the past 10 months, to verify that the products were safe to eat.
BusinessLIVE reports that tests are conducted on ready-to-eat and dairy products, from sushi to baked goods, while the lab also tests samples in cases of foodborne illnesses. Food handling, production and processing environments, from manufacturers to retailers and takeaways to old age homes, informal traders and spaza shops, are all included in the sampling.
“Since July 2024, the laboratory has received 4 853 samples that were subjected to 17 759 analyses. The sample results yielded an overall compliance rate of 84.55%,” said the city.
A “steady increase” had been noted in reported foodborne illnesses from July 2022 to April 2025, which was partly attributed to a return to normal food handling, dining and social behaviours since the pandemic restrictions lifted, but the increase in notifications, specially in 2024, may also reflect better detection, reporting and surveillance systems as public health operations normalised, said Community Services & Health MMC Francine Higham.
She warned, however, that under-reporting of foodborne illness is known to be extensive, and the actual incidence “is likely to be far higher”.
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