Public Health & Food Safety Concern – Bluff Meats Braai & Grill (Old Main Road, Pinetown)

Public Health & Food Safety Concern – Bluff Meats Braai & Grill (Old Main Road, Pinetown)

I am deeply concerned about the complete disregard for customer health and food safety standards at this establishment.

Over an extended period, I have repeatedly raised concerns with the supervisor regarding the poor quality and freshness of the food being sold, particularly the buns. Despite these complaints, the same issues continue to occur.

At one point, I suffered food poisoning after consuming food purchased here. When I returned to report this, I was met with an apology and offered replacement food. Believing the matter had been resolved, I continued supporting the business. Unfortunately, the problems persisted.

On several occasions thereafter, I have had to complain about stale or poor-quality buns, only for staff to go to the back and return with a “fresh” bun for me. This raises a serious concern: if fresh stock is available, why is old food being served in the first place?

Today was the final straw. I was served two buns that were clearly unfit for consumption: • One bun was mouldy • The second bun was falling apart and clearly stale

This leads me to ask an important question: What about customers who are rushing to work, who do not have the time, transport, or confidence to come back and complain? Those customers are likely consuming unsafe food without realising it.

How does food in this condition pass inspection and get sold to the public? Is there no quality control, stock rotation, or food safety inspection process in place?

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Legal and Regulatory Obligations (South Africa)

This conduct appears to be in direct violation of the following legislation:

1. Consumer Protection Act (CPA), Act 68 of 2008 – Section 55 Consumers have the right to receive goods that are: • Of good quality • Reasonably suitable for their intended purpose • Free from defects • Safe and usable

Selling mouldy or stale food is a clear breach of this right.

2. Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, Act 54 of 1972 This Act strictly prohibits the sale of food that is contaminated, unsafe, or unfit for human consumption. Mouldy food poses a serious health risk and should never be offered for sale.

3. National Health Act & Municipal Health By-Laws Food outlets are legally required to: • Maintain strict hygiene standards • Ensure proper food storage and stock rotation • Prevent the sale of expired or spoiled food

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Conclusion

This is not a once-off incident—it is a pattern of negligence. Apologising and offering replacement food after the fact does not undo the health risk posed to customers.

Food safety is not optional. People trust food outlets with their health, and that trust is being violated here.

I strongly urge management to: • Implement proper quality control and daily food inspections • Train staff adequately on food safety • Stop serving old or spoiled food immediately

If these issues continue, this matter warrants escalation to Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) at the local municipality.

People’s health should never be treated as an afterthought