Food safety concerns surrounding the popular KASI fast-food KOTAs. Are we safe?

Do the food establishments that sell ready to eat food products conform to food safety standards and regulations? Are the food handlers making us KOTAs maintain high standards of personal food hygiene? These are some of the important questions that we need to ask ourselves before we choose an outlet to buy our KOTAs from. In this day and age where there are outbreaks of communicable diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from one person to the next), food safety is not a practice that can be overlooked. By definition, Food safety is an act of ensuring that the risk in food that is likely to cause harm is reduced to the lowest reasonable level without severe disruption of the food supply.

KOTAs are a popular institution in South Africa, especially in the townships. Each section in the townships has countless outlets that sell KOTAs and they are a big enterprise. Most people consume these because they are affordable, and they can give a sense of fullness that full meal offers. However, there has been some growing concerns on the safety of their preparation, it has been observed that most of these people who prepare the KOTA do not conform to hygiene standards and food handling regulation. This includes personal hygiene, food practices, and the suitability of the food premises.

These are the dangers of poor food handling practices.

1. Transmission of communicable diseases such as COVID-19

2. The outbreak of diarrheal infections such as salmonella

3. Cross-contamination by bacteria and other biological microorganisms

4. Foodborne illnesses

The following are standards that should be adhered to by all food handlers irrespective of the size of the food establishment. The regulations that are going to be discussed in this article are adapted from the NATIONAL NORMS AND STANDARDS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN TERMS OF NATIONAL HEALTH ACT, 2003 (ACT NO 61 OF 2003) As long as you prepare food products for commercial purposes, you need to abide by them. Breaking these laws and regulations is similar to committing a criminal offense and it is punishable by law. These standards were formulated for the sole intention of protecting the consumer from food risk that may lead to disability or death.

HANDWASHING

1. One of the most important things you can do to prevent foodborne illness is to wash your hands!

2. Science has shown that when food handlers frequently wash their hands, with soap and warm water, most of the germs are removed and don’t make it into the food. So, it is of paramount importance that you observe that the food handler is washing their hands before making you a KOTA.

3. If they prepare your KOTA with dirty hands, you can contract foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, Amoebic dysentery caused by Entamoeba Histolytica, giardiasis caused by Giardia lamblia, and Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma Gondi.

4. The KOTA preparers must have running water, if running water is out of the question, then they should have an ample supply of clean water free from harmful microorganisms.

THEY MUST ALWAYS WASH HANDS AFTER

· Using the restroom

. After handling cash

· Using the restroom

· Sneezing or coughing

· Touching their faces or hair

· Smoking

· Using chemicals or cleaners

· Taking out the garbage

· Eating

PREMISES WHERE THEY PREPARE THE KOTA

1. There should be adequate lighting and ventilation inside the establishment used for preparing fast food.

2. The yard should be clean and free from any garbage, refuse and other nuisances

3. The premises must be kept free of cockroaches, rats, etc.

4. The inside of the establishment must be kept in a state of perfect cleanliness. The walls must be free from dirt, to minimize any risk of contamination.

5. All utensils used in the preparation of a KOTA should always be kept clean

6. Animals such as cats should never be allowed entry into the establishment

FOOD HANDLERS

By food handlers, we refer to those people preparing fast-food i.e KOTAs. This is how they are supposed to behave.

1. They must be medically fit and not suffer from any communicable disease

2. Those suffering from skin infections, sores, or any other infection should not be permitted to work until they have fully recovered.

3. Food Handlers must always cover their hair using hairnets. No hair including beards should be exposed.

4. Food handlers must not wear jewelry

5. Food handlers should wash their hands every time when serving a new customer

6. Food handlers preparing and cooking food for sale for human consumption should always wear light-colored overalls, preferably white, and with short sleeves. This will allow easy washing of hands up to the elbows

7. All employees should wash their hands and arm thoroughly using soap and hot water

8. Fingernails to be kept clean and neatly trimmed in order to facilitate easy cleaning

9. Kitchen employees with cuts and wounds should have the same covered with suitable waterproof materials and although covered they should be given another job beside food handling

10. Spiting is strictly prohibited

11. The mouth and the nose should be covered with a clean handkerchief when coughing or sneezing and the hands washed with soap and water thereafter

12. No person shall smoke while handling food or while in the food preparation area

1. Irritation from leads to coughing or sneezing

2.Contamination by ash

3. Contamination of hands from mouth

13. No outdoor cloths to be hung in the food preparation or serving area

Conclusion

If the food handlers respect the above standards, we have a better chance of leading healthy and fulfilling lives. It has been proven that food can make us sick if it is not prepared and served properly. Food handlers must play an important role in making sure people do not get sick from the foods and drinks they prepare and serve.

After reading this piece of article, share the knowledge with your loved ones so that they may also be safe from foodborne illnesses. Being equipped with this knowledge is important because next time you buy a KOTA or any fast food you will be aware if something is not happening the way it is supposed to be happening. You will be able to stand for your rights and demand a satisfactory service.

Statistics have shown that foodborne illnesses are caused by ill food workers preparing food, this is worsened by an increase of knowledge and understanding of food safety among workers. An increase in knowledge will lower the occurrence of foodborne illnesses.

SAFEGUARD YOUR HEALTH WITH YOUR LIFE SINCE IT IS YOUR TRUE WEALTH

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