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The Quality and Safety of Donated Food in Charitable Food Assistance Programs in eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Sizwe Makhunga

    (Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa)

  • Mbuzeleni Hlongwa

    (Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
    Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa)

  • Khumbulani Hlongwana

    (Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
    Cancer and Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit (CIDERU), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa)

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is a major global problem, with over 2.8 billion people reported as unable to afford a healthy diet in 2022. While charitable food assistance programs (CFAPs) play an important role in improving food access, ensuring the quality and safety of donated foods is crucial for safeguarding needy communities from food-related illnesses. This study evaluated the safety and quality of food donations at a food bank warehouse in the eThekwini District using a novel methodology. Methods: In March 2024, a five-day audit was conducted at a food bank warehouse in the eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mobile device was utilized to document comprehensive information on all incoming deliveries, including the type of food, product details (such as brand, name, and variety), donor information, weight, and date markings. The audit assessed 1037 items, totaling 64,818 kg of donated food, against established food safety standards. Each item was visually inspected upon arrival and classified as ‘unsuitable’, ‘potentially unsafe’, or ‘unsafe’ for human consumption. Results: Out of the 64,818 kg of donated food, 95.5% (61,886 kg) was deemed satisfactory. However, 4.5% of the total, which amounts to 2932 kg, was categorized as either unsafe (355 kg), potentially unsafe (1182 kg), or unsuitable (1395 kg) for consumption. Retail supermarkets donated the largest weight of food, and also of the food classified as unsafe or unsuitable. Conclusions: The study highlights an urgent need for improved quality control and safety measures in food donations to CFAPs. Stricter handling and inspection guidelines are essential to ensure the quality of charitable food, reduce health risks, and build public trust in donation programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Sizwe Makhunga & Mbuzeleni Hlongwa & Khumbulani Hlongwana, 2025. "The Quality and Safety of Donated Food in Charitable Food Assistance Programs in eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1163-:d:1581250
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arlette Saint Ville & June Yee Tsun Po & Akankasha Sen & Anh Bui & Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez, 2019. "Food security and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES): ensuring progress by 2030," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(3), pages 483-491, June.
    2. Koester, Ulrich & Galaktionova, Ekaterina, 2021. "FAO Food Loss Index methodology and policy implications," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 123(1), pages 1-7.
    3. Mossenson, Sharonna & Giglia, Roslyn & Pulker, Claire E. & Chester, Miranda & McStay, Catrina & Pollard, Christina M, 2024. "Evidence for initiating food safety policy: An assessment of the quality and safety of donated food at an Australian food bank," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
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