Journal of Public Health Policy

, Volume 33, Issue 2, pp 230–243 | Cite as

Exploring policy compliance of the South African informal milk-producing segment

Original Article
First Online:
  • 15 Downloads

Abstract

Our study assessed whether municipal health services were informed about and exerted adequate control over the informal milk-producing sector in South Africa. The results indicated that municipal health services had limited control. Only one municipality was authorised to allow the sale of raw milk in its area. In most metropolitan and district municipalities, the distribution of raw milk continues, even where no statutory investigations assessed the ability to control the practice. The national and provincial government should recognise and support capacity building to enable municipalities to exercise power and perform their functions regarding informal milk distribution, part of the informal sector that has provided opportunities for employment and additional income. This constitutes a challenge particularly in monitoring and control of high-risk foods.

Keywords

informal milk production milk hygiene policy environmental health services municipal health services 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. Burri, S. (1993) Ongesonde melk 'n gevaar in party Oos-Kaapse gebiede. Die Burger, 29 September.Google Scholar
  2. Carte Blanche. (2001) Not quite milk. MNet Television Broadcast, 1 July.Google Scholar
  3. Griffith, C.J. (2005) Are we making the most of food safety inspections?: A glimpse into the future. British Food Journal 107 (3): 132–139.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Costa, D., Reinemann, D.J., Cook, N. and Ruegg, P. (2004) The changing face of milk production, milk quality and milking technology in Brazil: Babcock Institute Discussion Paper No. 2004-2. Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (in press).Google Scholar
  5. World Bank. (2005) The Role of Standards Under Kenya's Export Strategy. Washington DC: World Bank, p. 51.Google Scholar
  6. Basson, I. (2006) Environmental health and dairy: What the Health Department says. The Dairy Mail 13 (7): 118–119.Google Scholar
  7. Fairman, R. and Yapp, C. (2004) Compliance with food safety legislation in small and micro-businesses: Enforcement as an external motivator. Journal of Environmental Health Research 3 (2): 44.Google Scholar
  8. De Waal, H.O. (1998) Community kraals: Implementing elements of ‘cut-and-carry’ feeding systems or zero grazing in a peri-urban community. Paper presented at the 8th World Conference on Animal Production; 28 June – 4 July, Seoul University, Seoul.Google Scholar
  9. Jansen, K.E. (2003) The microbiological composition of milk and associated milking practices amongst small-scale farmers in the informal settlement of Monyakeng. Unpublished MSc Dissertation, Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.Google Scholar
  10. RATES (Regional Agricultural Trade Expansion Support Programme). (2004) Final report: Review of the dairy industry in Malawi. Prepared by Imani Development Consultants, p. 23.Google Scholar
  11. Dovie, D.B.K., Shackleton, C.M. and Witkowski, E.T.F. (2006) Valuation of communal area livestock benefits, rural livelihoods and related policy issues. Land Use Policy 23 (3): 260–271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Zvomuya, F. (2007) Milk flows in Limpopo. UbisiMail 3 (2): 7–8.Google Scholar
  13. Uys, P. (2005) Positive prospects for sub-Saharan Africa. Dairy Mail Africa 1 (2): 27.Google Scholar
  14. NAMC (National Agricultural Marketing Council). (2001) Report on the Investigation into the Effects of Deregulation on the Dairy Industry. Pretoria, South Africa: NAMC, p. 42.Google Scholar
  15. Nguz, A.K. (2005) Milk quality in Africa: Managing safety issues. Dairy Mail Africa 1 (October): 33–35.Google Scholar
  16. More O'Ferrall-Berndt, M. (2003) A comparison of selected public health criteria in milk from milk-shops and from a national distributor. Journal for the South African Veterinary Association 74 (2): 35–40.Google Scholar
  17. RSA (Republic of South Africa). (2006) Annual Report: ASGISA (Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa). Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  18. Nofal, J. (2005) Emerging farmers could supply milk to school kids. Ubisi Mail 1 (2): 7–9.Google Scholar
  19. Bieldt, B. (2006) MPO en Staat maak skole melk ‘n werklikheid. The Dairy Mail 13 (10): 25.Google Scholar
  20. Pretorius, L. (2006) Emerging dairy farmers on the road to success. Ubisi Mail 2 (2): 16–17.Google Scholar
  21. Du Plessis, H. (2007) Two birds with one stone. The Dairy Mail 14 (2): 25.Google Scholar
  22. Slabbert, K. (2007) Spilt milk or cash cow? Dairy Mail Africa 2 (1): 34–37.Google Scholar
  23. Weiss, R. (2007) New dairy farmers may bring relief. The Dairy Mail 14 (1): 24.Google Scholar
  24. RSA (Republic of South Africa). (1996) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  25. RSA (Republic of South Africa). (1972) Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, Act 54 of 1972. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  26. RSA: DoH (Republic of South Africa: Department of Health). (1986) Regulation No. R.1256 of 1986: Regulations Relating to Milking Sheds and the Transport of Milk, Promulgated Under the Health Act, 63 of 1977. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  27. RSA: DoH (Republic of South Africa: Department of Health). (1990) Regulation No. R.1183 of 1990: Regulations Relating to Perishable Foodstuffs, promulgated under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 54 of 1972. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  28. RSA (Republic of South Africa). (1991) Business Act, Act 71 of 1991. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  29. Mollentze, B. (1992) Free enterprise? Barkly East Reporter. 11 September.Google Scholar
  30. Coggon, D. (1995) Questionnaire-based exposure assessment methods: The science of the total environment. Elsevier 168: 175–178.Google Scholar
  31. Sapsford, R. and Jupp, V. (1996) Data collection and analysis. In: M. Wilson (ed.) Asking Questions. London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
  32. Venter, A. and Landsberg, C. (2011) Governance and Politics in South Africa. Van Schaik Publishers.Google Scholar
  33. RSA: DoH (Republic of South Africa: Department of Health). (1997) Regulation No. R.1555 of 1997: Regulations Relating to Milk and Dairy Products, Promulgated Under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 54 of 1972. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  34. DBSA (Development Bank of Southern Africa). (2007) Delivery of Municipal Health Services in District Municipalities in South Africa: A Census Survey Amongst District Municipalities. Midrand, South Africa: DBSA.Google Scholar
  35. Agenbag, M. (2006) An analysis of progress made with the devolution of municipal health services in SA. Paper presented at the Seminar on Implementing Municipal Health Services; 20–21 July. Pretoria, South Africa.Google Scholar
  36. Coetzee, K. (2007) Telephonic interview (Chief Economist of MPO and Author of ‘Lacto Data for the Milk Producers’ Organisation of SA’). 26 March.Google Scholar
  37. Steenkamp, W. (1999) Dairy Farming: A Practical Manual. Pretoria, South Africa: J.L. van Schaik Publishers, pp. 84–100.Google Scholar
  38. Mathee, A., Swanepoel, F. and Swart, A. (1999) Environmental health services. In: N. Crisp and A. Ntuli (eds.) South African Health Review 1999. Durban: Health Systems Trust, pp. 281–28.Google Scholar
  39. RSA: DoH (Republic of South Africa: Department of Health). (2003) Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972): Enforcement by Local Authorities. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  40. RSA: DoH (Republic of South Africa: Department of Health). (1995) Report on a National Survey Regarding the Hygiene of Fresh Milk Offered for Sale to the Consumer in South Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Department of Health.Google Scholar
  41. Kirsten, J. (2003) Food Pricing Monitoring Committee Final Report: Chapter 5: The Dairy Supply Chain. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  42. Agenbag, M. (2004) Milking Parlour Health and Hygiene Education: Case Study and Guidelines. Barkly East, Eastern Cape: Ukhahlamba District Municipality, Environmental Health Services.Google Scholar
  43. Ekanem, E.O. (1998) The street food trade in Africa: Safety and socio-environmental issues. Food Control 9 (4): 211–215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  44. RSA: DoH (Republic of South Africa: Department of Health). (1999) Regulation No. R918 of 30 July 1999: Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises and the Transport of Food, as Amended, Promulgated Under the Health Act, 63 of 1977 (Act. 63 of 1977). Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar
  45. Von Holy, A. and Makhoane, F.M. (2006) Improving street food vending in South Africa: Achievements and lessons learned. International Journal of Food Microbiology 111: 89–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  46. WHO (World Health Organisation). (1996) Essential safety requirements for street-vended foods. Revised Edition. Food Safety Unit Division of Food and Nutrition. WHO/FNU/FOS/96.7, Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
  47. Dairy Mail Africa. (2007) Milk report. Dairy Mail Africa 2 (1): 29–33.Google Scholar
  48. RSA (Republic of South Africa). (2000) Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Programme Environmental Health, School for Environmental Development and Agriculture, Private Bag X20539, Central University of TechnologyBloemfonteinSouth Africa
  2. 2.Department of Public Administration and ManagementFaculty of Economic and Management Sciences, PO Box 339, University of the Free StateBloemfonteinSouth Africa

Personalised recommendations