Abstract
The growing interest in Food Safety Regulations is not only in the nature of the
regulations but also in the process by which the regulations are enforced to ensure
compliance. This is because non-compliance to food safety regulations poses a
threat to the health of the consumer and should be recognised by authorities as
early as possible for intervention. The local authority system has however raised a
number of criticisms.
The research followed a descriptive design, using quantitative method, to
determine the compliance process that Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs)
follow in cases where food premises within City of Johannesburg do not comply
with food safety regulations. The sample population included 110 EHPs selected
using purposive sampling due to their role in enforcing food safety regulations.
Each EHP further provided 5 document records of non-compliant food premises,
selected using simple-random sampling, giving a total of 550 document records.
Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and data collection
forms. The questionnaire was completed by EHPs and the researcher concurrently
collected data by reviewing document records of food premises using a data
collection form. The findings of the study allowed for a clear compliance process
to be outlined, however not to the latter of the legislation requirements to ensure
rectification of non-compliance.
The study shows an existing record management system in need of reform. The
outcome of the study indicated the need for the training of EHPs in law
enforcement procedures and the necessity to have guidelines specific to
enforcement of food safety regulations.
M.Tech. (Environmental Health)