22-07-2025
Study raises growing danger of foodborne diseases after Cape Town restaurant outbreak
Urgent calls for enhanced hygiene practices across the food industry have been made following findings from a recent study in the Public Health Bulletin South Africa.
Image: Pexels / Eric Montanah
Last year's outbreak of foodborne illness at a Cape Town restaurant has prompted urgent calls for improved hygiene practices and staff training across the food industry, following the release of a study published this week in the Public Health Bulletin South Africa (PHBSA).
The February 2024 outbreak affected 46 people, including 12 restaurant staff and 34 patrons. Laboratory tests confirmed 33 of the cases were caused by Shigella species or enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), both of which can cause severe stomach illness. Shigella species refer to a group of bacteria responsible for causing shigellosis, which is a diarrheal illness.
Lead investigator Janine Bezuidenhoudt said the incident illustrates the growing danger of foodborne diseases in South Africa. 'Globally, 600 million people fall ill and 420,000 die every year after consuming contaminated food. Low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable, with 137,000 people dying annually in Africa,' she said.
She noted that the increase in foodborne illnesses this year contributed to the declaration of a national disaster. 'Restaurants, tuck shops, and fast-food establishments can all be sources of these illnesses,' Bezuidenhoudt said.
Inspections at the restaurant revealed poor food storage practices, including overstocked cold storage and failure to use the 'first-in, first-out' method. Although the precise source of contamination could not be confirmed, investigators believe it was likely caused by either a contaminated food item or an infected food handler.
'I hope this study continues the conversation about the risk and importance of foodborne diseases and how they can be prevented. We urgently need national Shigella guidelines to guide outbreak responses,' Bezuidenhoudt said.
She also urged people to seek medical care when ill. 'It is crucial for individuals with foodborne illness to seek healthcare for proper diagnosis and treatment, including specimen collection,' she said.
According to the Notifiable Medical Conditions system, 437 foodborne outbreaks were reported between 2022 and 2024, but underreporting remains a concern.
The public is reminded to practise good food hygiene by washing hands, cleaning surfaces and utensils, separating raw and cooked food, and cooking food thoroughly to at least 75°C.
The PHBSA is a joint initiative of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Institute for Occupational Health.
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