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Mandla Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council has warned members of the public against buying food from undesignated premises as this puts their health in danger.
The warning comes amid an increase in food vendors as people seek alternative cheap food following massive hikes of food prices by restaurants.
Some restaurants are now selling simple meals as high as $30, which is beyond the reach of many people who are now turning to unregistered food vendors operating in streets.
In a statement, council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the local authority would also continue to raid unregistered food vendors to ensure they comply with the city’s by-laws.
“Safety of food prepared and sold on the streets cannot be guaranteed as the food is prepared under unhygienic conditions, for that reason the public is advised against buying and consuming such food stuffs.
“We encourage residents not to buy and consume food from these areas.
“For the operators, this is an illegal activity as it contravenes the Public Health Legislation and council policies.
“As local authority we will continue to carry out raids from time to time at the places of all offenders,” said Mrs Mpofu.
In terms of the Public Health Legislation and Council policies, all food should be prepared under laid down conditions to prevent the consumer from food poisoning among other issues that may put their health in danger.
“All foodstuffs are supposed to be prepared under hygienic conditions, that is access to portable water, proper facilities for safe storage, safe handling so as to exclude the risk of contamination and this is only possible in properly licensed premises and is not possible on the streets,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu warned that vendors who were flouting the law risk being arraigned before a court of law to answer to charges of contravening Public Health Legislation as well as council policies.
@mandlamoyo3
Online Reporter