Deadline looms for spaza shop owners, food-handling outlets to register their businesses

JOHANNESBURG - February 28 marks the final deadline for all spaza shop owners and food-handling outlets to register their businesses in a bid to regulate the industry.

The registration drive follows an increase in foodborne illnesses allegedly linked to products sold at some of the shops.

Business owners have been warned that they will not be granted further extensions.

Ministers Aaron Motsoaledi and Velenkosini Hlabisa said they were satisfied with the progress in the registration drive so far.

The aim of the process is to remove hazardous pesticides and prevent children from being exposed to harmful substances.

Hlabisa said that health environmental practitioners would be roped in to inspect shops from March.

"Health environmental practitioners will play a greater role because every law enforcing agency will not be able to operate without the guidance of the health environmental practitioners."

Government said that while the registration step was crucial, it does not guarantee eligibility to trade. 

Non-compliant businesses will face enforcemnets including fines, arrests and closures.