GROWING THREAT TO FOOD SAFETY

Sir,

The rise of food fraud is the intentional misrepresentation or adulteration of food products and it raises serious concerns about consumer safety, public health and economic stability. Food is meant to nourish and sustain life, but what happens when the food we consume becomes a silent threat? For Eswatini, where a significant portion of food is imported from South Africa, food fraud is more than just a foreign issue; it is a direct and urgent challenge affecting our daily lives. The recent surge in food fraud cases in South Africa highlights the risks we face as a nation relying on cross-border food supplies.

Recent food fraud cases in South Africa (2024)

South Africa has witnessed several shocking incidents of food fraud this year. These cases illustrate the severity of the problem and its potential impact on Eswatini: These cases paint a troubling picture of the food industry’s vulnerabilities and the potential dangers lurking in everyday food products. How food fraud impacts Eswatini. Given Eswatini’s heavy reliance on South African food imports, the implications of these fraud cases extend beyond South African borders.

1. Health risks for consumers
Fraudulent food products-whether expired, mislabelled, or adulterated-are likely to end up on Eswatini’s shelves. This poses serious health risks, including foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions and long-term complications, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

2. Economic consequences
If consumers lose confidence in imported food products, they may opt for locally sourced alternatives-if such options are available. A decline in trust can negatively impact: l Importers and retailers, who may struggle with reduced demand. l Small businesses, particularly informal traders, who rely on imported food for resale. Additionally, fraudulent food can force businesses to recall products, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage.

3. Food security challenges
Eswatini’s local food production capacity remains limited, making imports essential. If food fraud leads to widespread crackdowns on imports or a loss of trust in South African products, the nation may face: Food shortages, affecting availability and accessibility. Price increases, making food less affordable, particularly for low-income households.

4. The impact on informal trade
Many small retailers and informal vendors source food products directly from South African wholesalers or township stores, where fraudulent food is more likely to circulate. This makes low-income consumers, particularly vulnerable to unsafe products, as informal markets often lack proper oversight and regulatory enforcement.

Eswatini’s regulatory and border control gaps

Eswatini’s limited regulatory frameworks and border control systems increase the risk of fraudulent and expired food entering the local market. Some key concerns include:Weak enforcement: The country lacks strict monitoring systems to detect and prevent fraudulent food imports. Repackaging practices: Some local wholesalers repackage expired food and resell it to unsuspecting consumers. Unregulated supply chains: Many food products bypass official supply chains, making it difficult to track fraudulent goods. Since Eswatini’s food security is directly tied to South Africa, ensuring strict monitoring and cross-border collaboration is crucial to protect consumers and maintain economic stability.

Final thoughts: Food for thought

The famous saying, ‘Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food’ is at risk of becoming ‘Let thy food be thy poison and thy poison be thy food’. Let us meet again in the next article as we continue dissecting this subject.

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