Compliance of local government towards controlling the informal milk-producing sector in South Africa

The purpose of this paper is to assess the compliance of local government (LG) (metropolitan and district municipalities) with legislative requirements concerning the control of milk hygiene at production level. Municipal health services (MHS) managers are playing an increasingly important role through legislation to ensure the health and well-being of consumers and to secure consumer trust in the product. A survey questionnaire targeting 52 MHS managers or designated persons (directly responsible for milk control) at the various metropolitan municipalities (metros) and district municipalities (DMs) in South Africa was conducted. At the time of the survey the majority of metros and DMs had not been authorised by the Ministry of Health in accordance with Section 23(1) of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Respondents indicated that a notable number of metros and DMs had not authorised their environmental health practitioners (EHPs) to administer the provisions of the above-mentioned Act. In accordance with this Act, this study concludes that the respective national and provincial governments, through their various departments, have to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to exercise power and perform their functions in this regard.