Authorities in Tororo Municipality have impounded food items from several restaurants after they were found to be in violation of the Public Health Act (Amended 2022).
The enforcement operation, conducted on Tuesday, was led by the Tororo Municipal Health Department in collaboration with municipal law enforcement officers.
During the exercise, food items including matooke, posho, and kalo were confiscated from Jaja’s Inn Restaurant, Happy Hours Restaurant, and several other food outlets operating within Osuna Market.
Municipal officials said the affected establishments were found covering cooked food with polythene materials, locally known as kavera—a practice prohibited due to its serious health risks. The impromptu inspections revealed that some food handlers continued using polythene despite repeated warnings from health authorities.
Aisha Nakato, the Tororo Municipal Health Educator, said the municipality has conducted several sensitisation meetings to educate food handlers about the dangers of using polythene materials in food preparation and storage.
“We have held numerous engagements with food vendors, but some have deliberately ignored our guidance, leaving us with no option but to enforce the law in order to protect public health,” Nakato said.
She explained that kavera contains toxic chemicals which, when exposed to heat, release harmful substances such as dioxins and phthalates, compounds linked to cancer, hormonal imbalances, infertility, and other chronic illnesses.
Nakato cautioned the public against risky practices such as wrapping food in polythene before steaming, covering hot food with polythene to retain heat, and cooking food directly on polythene materials.
She urged food handlers and members of the public to adopt safer alternatives, including banana leaves, aluminium foil, glass containers, stainless steel containers, and food-grade plastic wraps when covering or storing food.
Meanwhile, the Tororo Municipality Deputy Town Clerk, Okoth Kitong, said the affected restaurants will be arraigned in court to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This enforcement action is aimed at safeguarding the health and lives of residents within Tororo Municipality,” Kitong said.