SABS urges vigilance in buying food products JMPD officer helps woman deliver baby in the street

Getrude Mamabolo

JMPD officer Sergeant Connie Nkuna recently helped a woman deliver a baby at corner Milner Avenue and Beyers Naude Drive in Northcliff.

Nkuna and colleagues were on a crime-prevention patrol when a member of the public told them that a woman was in labour in the street. Nkuna asked her colleagues to get help from paramedics at the nearby Roosevelt fire station while she evaluated the situation.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla says: “The woman went into full labour while she awaited assistance. The baby had to be delivered with the help of Sergeant Nkuna, a bystander and the mother’s sister. Both the mother and the healthy new-born girl were taken to Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, and were both discharged after observation,” says Fihla.

Sergeant Nkuna expressed a sense of relief after receiving news about the mother and infant.

JMPD acting chief Angie Mokasi commended Sergeant Nkuna for going beyond the call of duty.

“Experiences of this nature will motivate other JMPD officers into becoming more compassionate officers for our community and also remembering that our duty goes beyond by-law enforcement and traffic management, but also responding to issues of people facing crisis,” Mokasi says.

Stepmother faces murder charge

Johannesburg - A woman is facing a murder charge for allegedly drowning her three-year-old stepdaughter, after which she attempted suicide in Mulbarton.

According to the Mondeor community policing forum the mother allegedly drowned her stepdaughter in a bath, then tried to commit suicide but survived.

Sector 1 chairperson Mike Fon-

Johannesburg - The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has advised consumers to be more vigilant when buying food by examining packaging and labels, also ensuring that basic hygiene practices are observed when purchasing and preparing food.

The SABS reviews and amends standards to ensure that food sources and production processes meet the minimum safety requirements.

SABS acting CEO Sadhvir Bissoon says: “Food products spoil faster in warmer and humid conditions, and it is important that everyone be more vigilant regarding food safety.” is not damaged and that purchases are made from reputable retailers. They must not buy products that do not contain information about ingredients, nutritional information, storage advice, expiry dates, production dates or manufacturing information.

Food retailers need to ensure that the cold chain from suppliers to stores is in place and maintained until it is sold, he adds.

“Consumers can continue the cold chain by transporting food in cooler boxes or having it delivered direct to their homes. With rising temperatures and load-shedding, consumers need to be aware of the impact of these elements on the storage of food and the potential of exposure to contamination,” Bissoon says. Currently, the global standard for food safety is the Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000).

FSSC Certification is a complete food, feed and packaging safety certification scheme for the auditing and management of Food Safety Systems (FSMS); offered and managed by the Foundation FSSC, recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

They must also look for verification marks on products, as products that are subjected to testing and certification offer better peace of mind that the production processes and product complies to SANS/ISO 22000. When storing and preparing food at home they should keep food separately to avoid cross contamination, especially with fresh and perishable items such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy and fresh produce.

Consumers also need to engage their senses; for example, if some- thing looks or smells bad, rather throw it out or return it to the store for a refund if it has not been used. tes said when community policing forum members arrived at the scene the baby had a faint pulse, but died later at the Netcare Mulbarton Hospital.

“Our product certification scheme addresses a recourse process when material non-compliances are identified. SABS works with regulators and other industry bodies to set the standards for products and processes,” Bissoon says.

He adds that regulators such as the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, departments of Health, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, have the authority to regulate certain types of food products, conduct inspections, and if potential health issues are found they can recall products.

Police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo confirmed that a murder case is being investigated after the mother was arrested and appeared at the Johannesburg magistrate’s court last Wednesday.

“It is important that the entire supply chain observes and is certified to comply with the requirements of SANS/ISO 22000. The SABS offers certification for companies and offers verification services to food producers. The SABS can also certify the refrigeration units of vehicles that transport food products. Our laboratories can identify the nutritional percentage of ingredients, pesticides and chemicals, bacteria, microbes, fungi and any other substance that may be of benefit or harm to consumers,” Bissoon says. SABS tips include that if the stores do not have generators or alternative sources of power to ensure that refrigeration units are functional, rather purchase food that was delivered on the day or ask the store manager for confirmation of fresh produce.

Consumers are encouraged to examine packaging to ensure that expiry dates are visible, packaging