Your Partner in Food Safety and Public Health Solutions
Public health is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organised efforts and informed choices of society, organisations, communities, and individuals. It works to protect and improve the health of populations through various activities such as health promotion, disease prevention, and policy development.
We focussed on five prominent beaches nestling in the picturesque Nelson Mandela Bay Metro area – Hobie in Summerstrand, Maitland, St. George’s, New Brighton, and the ever-popular Humewood. We invite you to download our beach water quality report as we delve into the findings, shedding light on the water quality …
In our fast-paced world, it’s common to find expired food items lurking in the back of our pantries or refrigerators. However, consuming expired foods can pose serious health risks to you and your family. What are Expired Foods? Expired foods are food products that have passed their recommended or stated …
A hot topic in the Nelson Mandela Bay community is the public outcry against manganese ore storage and handling and their impact on public health safety. Manganese ore has been a staple export in the region for over forty years, with two main ports in the Eastern Cape (Gqeberha and …
Milk and dairy products are a staple in most households. We use dairy as key ingredients in many foods and meals, as supplements in food products, and people drink milk on its own or in other beverages such as tea or coffee. Dairy products are incredibly rich in nutrients such …
Fish and fish products are prone to contamination mainly due the physiology of fish species, their habitat and handling practices. It’s no surprise then that they contribute to a large portion of foodborne illness incidents contributing to, on average, 6-8 % of all annually reported outbreaks. This is more than …
Microorganisms, or microbes, play an important role in breaking down natural matter in the environment. Without them, there would be a build-up of waste, and this wouldn’t be recycled back into the food chain. Because of their key job in continuing the natural recycling of nutrients, they are found basically …
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the food industry primarily protects food from possible contamination by the food handler. Protective clothing may include: PPE may also be designed to protect food handler from possible injury and environmental conditions that could be detrimental to their health and well-being. It is important that …
South Africa has a diverse population and is a third world country, and its economy is considered a dichotomy. One part of the population lives in extreme poverty with no to little access to clean water and sanitation. The other lives in relative comfort and has access to clean water …
Prohibition is the official act of denying, disallowing or preventing a person or an entity from carrying out specific activities. In terms of Regulation R638 of 2018, a prohibition on the handling and transportation of food may be issued by Environmental Health Inspectors (EHI). They may decide to issue a …
Food poisoning is a major problem in many parts of the world, and millions of people get sick because of contaminated food. Prevention of potential contamination with pathogens is a necessary measure to ensure consumer safety. In some cases, food poisoning can be fatal. This will be dependent on the …
Food poisoning occurs when food is contaminated with microorganisms that produce toxins leading to illnesses. To ensure the food is safe, the consumer has a responsibility to take necessary precautions to prevent food poisoning. Below are the 10 tips to prevent food poisoning: 1. Separate food The first thing one …
Primary health care is the first contact that communities make with the country’s national health system. It is the first constituent of the health care system. Primary healthcare is meant to facilitate health care provision as close as possible to where communities are. The main focus areas of primary healthcare …
The WHO defines primary healthcare as a concept that considers individuals’ holistic health care needs and their communities. The major components of primary health care are an adequate supply of water, sanitation and health education. These components have never been more critical than now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Good hand …
South Africa is one of the countries where the Public Health System structure was transformed into a district health system. The aim was to deliver health services to people following primary healthcare principles and guidelines. Primary health care is the first contact that communities make with their national health system. …
COVID-19 or Coronavirus is a virus that causes respiratory disease and can be fatal for people with pre-existing chronic conditions and weakened immune systems. You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions: Related Articles Check out our other related articles for more …
What is Listeria? Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection in humans called Listeriosis. Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in soil and water and can contaminate food, particularly raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables. The worst listeriosis outbreak …