“Few of us realise that everything we consume—air, water, and all foods and liquids—are at some point of their production, manufacturing, transport, and/or storage evaluated by an Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP),” shared Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, at a recent meeting.
The Municipal Health Services (MHS) of the CWDM perform numerous routine tests and visits to producers, manufacturers, supermarkets, and shops. EHPs also evaluate the quality of the water we drink, wash, and cook with to ensure that it is safe to use. When issues arise, they ensure that these are promptly resolved.
Just as the virus that causes COVID-19 remains amongst us, potentially infecting people, the bacterium Listeria Monocytogenes, which caused the Listeriosis outbreak in December 2017, is still present. Under the right conditions, it can contaminate foodstuffs and cause illness. The 2017 outbreak was traced back to contaminated precooked ready-to-eat meat products such as polony, viennas, and similar items. Consequently, EHPs continue to regularly sample for Listeria Monocytogenes.
This proactive approach proved its worth once again when the bacterium was detected in “Red Viennas” during a routine sampling at a butchery in the Breede Valley. Following the positive result, several steps were initiated, including confirmatory samples of various other products and environmental sampling at the same premises during July and August 2024. The results and ongoing investigations led the Division to the manufacturer in Cape Town, which supplies these products to retailers across the district and province.
Upon identifying the source, CWDM’s Municipal Health Services Division immediately informed all Municipal Health Services Authorities across the province, including the City of Cape Town. The City of Cape Town’s health authorities promptly launched an investigation to determine the root cause and scope of the problem. Provisional findings indicated that the non-compliance was most likely isolated to the red vienna dyeing area and the red vienna product.
Following vigorous engagements, guidance, and instructions, the manufacturer has taken a range of corrective actions imposed by the City of Cape Town’s health authorities. This incident is just one example of how the CWDM’s Municipal Health Services Division protects consumers and ensures food safety.
“It is due to the attitude of vigilance and the quick response exhibited by our EHPs and those at other municipalities that a potentially dangerous food pathogen (bacteria) was identified and resolved, before anybody became ill.” Cllr Xoliswa Mdemka Portfolio holder for MHS at CWDM, reported to the Mayoral Committee. “The incredible work performed by EHPs and Municipal Health Services and the role they have in ensuring our safety is, in general, often overlooked. I take my hat off to the EHP’s of the CWDM!”
The CWDM’s Municipal Health Services Division conducts close to 9,000 inspections at food premises annually and samples more than 1,000 food products each year, excluding the 1,500 water samples taken. Food Control is one of the main functions of Municipal Health Services, and this task is performed diligently to protect the safety and well-being of all residents in and visitors to the CWDM.
