The City of Cape Town has confirmed 13 incidents of foodborne illnesses recorded between July 2025 and May 2026, marking the lowest number in three years.
Assessment and Compliance Rates
During this period, nearly 5,000 food samples were tested, resulting in over 18,000 analyses and a compliance rate of just over 88%, according to the City. Sampling is done of products from retailers, restaurants, butcheries, and various institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Context of Food Safety in the Region
The Health Directorate attributes the significant decrease in these cases to improved food safety practices and increased inspections. However, past outbreaks, including a spike in 2024/25 with 72 cases, remind authorities of the ongoing challenges posed by foodborne illnesses, which annually claim numerous lives globally.