Food safety agency on the cards, after deadly listeriosis outbreak
The government has decided to work towards the establishment of a food safety agency, in the wake of the outbreak of the fatal listerioris that has killed more than 200 people.The departments of trade and industry, health, agriculture forestry and fisheries, and the National Regulator for Compulsory Standards (NRCS) are working to establish the agency and the regulatory framework that it will require. Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said in a written reply to a parliamentary question by DA spokesperson on agriculture Annette Steyn that he fully supported the idea of a food safety agency. Following the listerioris outbreak he immediately instructed the NRCS to begin the process to develop the requisite regulation for it.The departments of agriculture, health, and trade and industry have concurrent functions under the Constitution to enhance food safety and consumer protection, with the health department the lead department."The fact that some part of the private sector allowed...
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