The 13 incidents reported so far in this financial year are the lowest in three financial years and an encouraging sign on World Food Safety Day, which is observed annually on 7 June. Read more below:
Cape Town’s Environmental Health Practitioners work daily to ensure food safety for all by inspecting food premises, investigating complaints of foodborne illnesses, and conducting education and outreach activities annually to create awareness about food safety and hygiene.
City Health’s Food Microbiological Laboratory amplifies their efforts by analysing thousands of food samples.
Between July 2025 and May 2026, nearly 5 000 food samples were tested, with more than 18 000 analyses conducted, resulting in a compliance rate of just over 88%.
Foodstuffs that most commonly failed for E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus included rice, chicken dishes, salads, sandwiches, sushi, ready‑to‑eat processed meats such as biltong and polony, as well as surface swabs including hands.
These failures are primarily linked to poor food handling practices, temperature abuse and inadequate cooking, often compounded by inadequate handwashing and improper handling of food after cooking.
Sampling is done of products from retailers, restaurants, butcheries, fast food outlets, tuck shops and feeding schemes at schools and ECDs, hospitals and old age homes, caterers, canteens and accommodation establishments.
During the same period, City Health has had notifications of 13 foodborne illness incidents.
In 2024/25, there was a spike in cases (72), driven by two suspected outbreaks. One in November 2024, where 15 children became symptomatic, although the cause was not clear, and a second in February 2025, where 19 persons became symptomatic after eating unwashed peaches.
The number of notifications in 2023/24 was 29.
‘Environmental Health Practitioners are on the frontline of food safety by routinely inspecting food premises, educating food handlers, investigating complaints and outbreaks, sampling foodstuffs and enforcing compliance with food safety requirements. Their monitoring and education help prevent unsafe food handling practices before they lead to illness, and we commend their efforts,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
Food safety is a highly legislated space, but the onus is on everyone to help promote it by adhering to basic practices, whether you run a business or are cooking for your household.
The City has a comprehensive list of food safety tips and advice available on its website at https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/food-safety
‘Handling food properly not only reduces the risk of illness, but it also extends the life of the produce. Food wastage is a global concern, but so too are rising food costs. Make sure you read storage instructions and pay careful attention to how food is prepared and stored, particularly fresh produce like fruit and vegetables,’ added Councillor Higham.
Tips on how to store produce safely and for best results are available here: https://bit.ly/3S1vMQQ
Members of the public who have health-related concerns or complaints about food premises can contact their local Environmental Health Office or the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089.
Service requests can also be logged online at https://eservices1.capetown.gov.za/coct/wapl/zsreq_app/index.html or via the City’s App.
