Cape Talk Radio interviewed ASC Public Health and Food Safety Consultants to discuss the dangers of “fake” food in South Africa.
The interview laid out the concept of food fraud, the types of food fraud we may encounter in our daily lives as consumers, and how we can mitigate and be vigilant as consumers regarding food fraud.
In the interview, food fraud was explained as a deliberate act to mislead consumers for financial gain. There are different kinds of food fraud, such as dilution, where business owners dilute the original content of a given product, and concealment, which involves the addition of unauthorised substances to achieve desired characteristics, although the health of the consumers is jeopardised. Mthokozisi Nkosi provided an example of dried grass being added to tea bags as part of a common act of food fraud.
The interview closed by providing mitigation strategies and promoting consumer vigilance. Mthokozisi suggested that retailers must audit their suppliers to check the authenticity of the processes and compliance.
Consumers, on the other hand, must always ensure to buy from reputable suppliers and check for expiry dates before purchasing to safeguard their health.
Media Outlet: Cape Talk
ASC Public Health and Food Safety Specialist Interviewed: Mthokozisi Nkosi
Date: 16 October 2024
