Thesis (D. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / The purpose of this study was to evaluate brewing and consumption practices and to screen for micro-organisms and mycotoxins associated with traditional beer produced and consumed in the marginal urban settlements of the city of Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The survey study revealed that traditional beer is no longer being brewed for traditional purposes only, as was the case in the past, but rather for commercial gain. Both brewers and consumers, however, appeared to be largely unaware of disease-causing micro-organisms present on the hands or bodies of handlers that can be transferred to the beverage during the handling process, and were seemingly not conversant with regard to the effects of hazardous ingredients sometimes incorporated during the brewing process. Unemployment and a lack of education emerged as pivotal factors related to the production of traditional beer and the ignorance of the associated safety thereof. The survey further indicated that although facilities such as the availability of potable water (taps in yards) and flushing toilets were sometimes in place, other facilities such as basins with hot running water were often not available. In commercially produced and homebrewed traditional beer the mean counts for total coliforms and Staphylococcus spp. were circa 105 cfu.ml-1 whereas the TVC (Total Viable Counts) and total fungi counts were 106 and 107 cfu.ml-1 respectively. The total coliforms and Staphylococcus spp. counts for homebrewed traditional beer were approximately one log-phase higher than the commercial version. The counts in the homebrewed beer probably originated from contamination during handling, while in the commercial product contamination originated either in the raw ingredients or during postprocessing and consumption. Apart from staphylococci, considerable numbers of total coliforms indicating faecal contamination were noted. A rapid, easy, reliable and accurate technique that could be used to quantify the level of mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol and citrinin) in the beer was developed through validation of the ELISA Ridascreen methodology. Using this method, the deoxynivalenol (DON) level in the beer samples was found to exceed the recommended levels suggested by the European Union, while citrinin levels in the samples varied between 35.6 ppb and 942.2 ppb. In the case of citrinin there were statistically significant differences between spring, summer and winter samples, confirming the seasonal impact on fungal growth and consequent mycotoxin production. An R2-value of 0.409 was noted between DON and citrinin, indicating a weak positive association. Finally, an awareness programme in the format of a poster with accompanying subscripts was developed to address issues of safety and hygiene of traditional beer in the study area. The poster utilises animatedstyle colour images of selected practices that need to be addressed, accompanied by slogans summarising the particular image in English, Afrikaans and Setswana. It is envisaged that, as part of a comprehensive awareness programme, the poster will contribute greatly to the quality, safety and promotion of traditional beer in the area.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The tobacco industry of South Africa has fallen under strict legislation and control measures from the South African government since the passing of the initial Tobacco Products Control Act, 1993. Further amendments have been made to the initial act, namely Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act, 1999 and the proposed Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill, 2004. This assignment emerges against the backdrop of the alcoholic beverage industry coming under similar scrutiny to that of the tobacco industry from government legislation and control measures The main objective of this assignment was to discover the similarities, if any, between the tobacco industry and the alcoholic beverage industry of South Africa, specifically with regard to their advertising practices before legislation. The purpose of this assignment is to discover whether or not the alcoholic beverage industry can learn from the example of the tobacco industry in order to maintain its self-regulation, rather than to fall under the control of State regulation and legislation. The literature and empirical study sought to achieve the following four objectives: 1.) To gain a thorough understanding of the tobacco legislation on a global scale; 2.) To analyse the control measures and legislation of tobacco in a South African context; 3.) To identify any similarities between the tobacco industry and alcoholic beverage industry of South Africa and 4.) To identify means in which the alcoholic beverage industry can work with the State in order to maintain the self-regulation of its industry. Findings indicate that similarities arise when comparing tobacco and alcohol, as both of them have addictive qualities, are often used from a very young age and both have laws prohibiting sale to minors. The success gained in South Africa with regard to anti-tobacco initiatives and government legislation since the introduction of the first Tobacco Act in 1993, has led to certain members of society feeling that similar, if not the same, strict strategies and / or legislative measures should be used to address the public health problems relating to alcohol. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse tabaknywerheid val onder streng wetgewing en beheermaatreëls deur die Suid-Afrikaanse regering sedert die aanvanklike Wet op die Beheer van Tabakprodukte, 1993 aanvaar is. Verdere wysigings op die aanvanklike wet is aanvaar, naamlik die Wysigingswet op die Beheer van Tabakprodukte, 1999 en die voorgestelde Wysigingswetsontwerp op die Beheer van Tabakprodukte, 2004. Hierdie werk spruit voort teen die agtergrond van die alkoholdranknywerheid wat onder 'n soortgelyke soeklig geplaas is as die tabaknywerheid by wyse van regeringswetgewing en beheermaatreëls. Die hoofoogmerk van hierdie werk was om die ooreenkomste, indien enige, vas te stel tussen die tabaknywerheid en die alkoholdranknywerheid van Suid-Afrika, spesifiek met betrekking tot hul adverteringspraktyke vóór wetgewing. Die doel van hierdie werk was om vas te stel of die alkoholdranknywerheid uit die voorbeeld van die tabaknywerheid kan leer aldan nie, met die oog op die voortsetting van sy selfbeheer, eerder as om onder die beheer van Staatsregulering en wetgewing te val. Die bronmateriaal en empiriese studie was daarop toegespits om die volgende vier doelwitte te bereik: 1.) Om 'n behoorlike begrip te verkry van tabakwetgewing op 'n globale skaal; 2.) Om die beheermaatreëls en wetgewing oor tabak in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks te analiseer; 3.) Om enige ooreenkomste tussen die tabak- en die alkoholdranknywerheid in Suid-Afrika te identifiseer en 4.) Om wyses te identifiseer waardeur die alkoholdranknywerheid met die Staat kan saamwerk om die selfbeheer van die nywerheid te behou. Bevindinge dui aan dat ooreenkomste wel ontstaan wanneer tabak en alkohol met mekaar vergelyk word, veral omdat albei verslawende eienskappe bevat, dikwels deur persone vanaf 'n baie jong ouderdom gebruik word en dat wetgewing albei verbied om aan minderjariges verkoop te word. Die sukses wat in Suid-Afrika rakende anti-tabakinisiatiewe en wetgewing behaal is sedert die inwerkingstelling van die eerste Wet op die Beheer van Tabak in 1993 het daartoe gelei dat sekere lede van die gemeenskap van mening is dat soortgelyke, indien nie dieselfde nie, streng strategieë en/of wetgewende maatreëls aangewend behoort te word om die openbare gesondheidsprobleme rakende alkohol aan te spreek.