Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Public Health Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Burri, S. (1993) Ongesonde melk 'n gevaar in party Oos-Kaapse gebiede. Die Burger, 29 September.

  • Carte Blanche. (2001) Not quite milk. MNet Television Broadcast, 1 July.

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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).

  • World Bank. (2005) The Role of Standards Under Kenya's Export Strategy. Washington DC: World Bank, p. 51.

  • Basson, I. (2006) Environmental health and dairy: What the Health Department says. The Dairy Mail 13 (7): 118–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • RATES (Regional Agricultural Trade Expansion Support Programme). (2004) Final report: Review of the dairy industry in Malawi. Prepared by Imani Development Consultants, p. 23.

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zvomuya, F. (2007) Milk flows in Limpopo. UbisiMail 3 (2): 7–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uys, P. (2005) Positive prospects for sub-Saharan Africa. Dairy Mail Africa 1 (2): 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

  • Nguz, A.K. (2005) Milk quality in Africa: Managing safety issues. Dairy Mail Africa 1 (October): 33–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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 

  • RSA (Republic of South Africa). (2006) Annual Report: ASGISA (Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa). Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

  • Nofal, J. (2005) Emerging farmers could supply milk to school kids. Ubisi Mail 1 (2): 7–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bieldt, B. (2006) MPO en Staat maak skole melk ‘n werklikheid. The Dairy Mail 13 (10): 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pretorius, L. (2006) Emerging dairy farmers on the road to success. Ubisi Mail 2 (2): 16–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du Plessis, H. (2007) Two birds with one stone. The Dairy Mail 14 (2): 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slabbert, K. (2007) Spilt milk or cash cow? Dairy Mail Africa 2 (1): 34–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, R. (2007) New dairy farmers may bring relief. The Dairy Mail 14 (1): 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • RSA (Republic of South Africa). (1996) Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

  • RSA (Republic of South Africa). (1972) Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, Act 54 of 1972. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • RSA (Republic of South Africa). (1991) Business Act, Act 71 of 1991. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

  • Mollentze, B. (1992) Free enterprise? Barkly East Reporter. 11 September.

  • Coggon, D. (1995) Questionnaire-based exposure assessment methods: The science of the total environment. Elsevier 168: 175–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapsford, R. and Jupp, V. (1996) Data collection and analysis. In: M. Wilson (ed.) Asking Questions. London: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Venter, A. and Landsberg, C. (2011) Governance and Politics in South Africa. Van Schaik Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Coetzee, K. (2007) Telephonic interview (Chief Economist of MPO and Author of ‘Lacto Data for the Milk Producers’ Organisation of SA’). 26 March.

  • Steenkamp, W. (1999) Dairy Farming: A Practical Manual. Pretoria, South Africa: J.L. van Schaik Publishers, pp. 84–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Kirsten, J. (2003) Food Pricing Monitoring Committee Final Report: Chapter 5: The Dairy Supply Chain. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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 

  • Ekanem, E.O. (1998) The street food trade in Africa: Safety and socio-environmental issues. Food Control 9 (4): 211–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

  • 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.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

  • Dairy Mail Africa. (2007) Milk report. Dairy Mail Africa 2 (1): 29–33.

  • RSA (Republic of South Africa). (2000) Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000. Pretoria, South Africa: Government Printer.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programme Environmental Health, School for Environmental Development and Agriculture, Private Bag X20539, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, 9300, Free State, South Africa

    Mike Agenbag & Ryk Lues

  2. Department of Public Administration and Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, PO Box 339, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9301, Free State Province, South Africa

    Liezel Lues

Authors
  1. Mike Agenbag
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ryk Lues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Liezel Lues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryk Lues.

Additional information

Because milk produced and stored in unsafe conditions can be dangerous for human health, the authors looked at how well local authorities in South Africa can oversee milk production in the informal sector.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Agenbag, M., Lues, R. & Lues, L. Exploring policy compliance of the South African informal milk-producing segment. J Public Health Pol 33, 230–243 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2011.59

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2011.59

Keywords

Search

Navigation