Benchmark for global food safety

The KZN Department of Agriculture participated in a five-day training workshop on the Global Standard for Food Safety in Richards Bay this week (back): Shafee Hoosen - PDCA Solutions, Corneil Muller - Top Grade Abattoir and Mark Naicker - KZN Dept of Agriculture (front): Mike Scannell - KZN Dept of Agriculture, Deputy Manager: Veterinary Public Health for the North Region - Dr Sashi Ramraj and Training Provider for the British Retail Consortium - Meera Hoosen

With KwaZulu-Natal being the largest exporter of game in South Africa, the province is leading the way in setting high food safety standards for international acceptance of game. Zululand representatives of the KZN Department of Agriculture have been participating in an intensive five-day training workshop on the Global Standard for Food Safety in Richards Bay this week. Facilitated by training provider for the British Retail Consortium - PDCA Solutions, the aim of the session is to be on par with globally accepted standards and help mitigate risks relating to consumer safety and food sabotage. ‘The standard allows for consistency and greater assurance for food safety,’ said training facilitator, Meera Hoosen. ‘The Department recognises this need and has aligned themselves with international standards. ‘If South African producers are exporting their products and don’t comply with these globally accepted standards, they will be restricted from entering global retail markets. ‘A retailer has a legal responsibility to ensure food safety and that the product is of high quality,’ said Hoosen. High global standards of hygiene, people management and food safety were imperative to ensure successful certification with the global standard. ‘Germs are indiscriminate. ‘We all have an equal responsibility to keep ourselves safe and the product safe. ‘Food safety and hygiene is sometimes not taken seriously. ‘The critical importance of food safety must be driven from the top and must be formalised. ‘Many companies in South Africa have already been certified with the global standard by competent auditors,’ said Hoosen.

Stricter
Deputy Manager: Veterinary Public Health for the North Region - Dr Sashi Ramraj told the Zululand Observer there was a global demand for safe food and stricter controls on public health. ‘All the local abattoirs fall under our jurisdiction, which are five districts under the North Region,’ said Dr Ramraj. ‘Consumers need to know their rights and are entitled to obtaining good, safe and wholesome products. ‘Most diseases emanate or originate from animal by-products. ‘This not only affects the quality of the product but overall perception. ‘It is important to have processes in place to prevent food-borne diseases. ‘From harvesting to primary health inspection, we want harmonisation of international standards. ‘We also want to close the gap between exporters in the rural and urban areas,’ said Dr Ramraj.