THE department of health in Limpopo is to investigate allegations that some street vendors in and around Polokwane are selling food collected from the dump site to unsuspecting members of the public.

The reaction comes after a number of street vendors who sell food at schools and different street corners in Polokwane were seen rushing to the dump site to collect expired food.

Freddy Matlou, a food scavenger who every morning goes to the dump site to collect food, said the women collected the food from the area to feed their families, while others "sell the stuff to the people around town".

He said the dump site was usually flooded with people on days on which most big supermarkets dumped their expired stuff.

"They collect meat, bread, cheese knacks, juices, sweets and dairies which they clean up and sell to their clients. Some of us collect leftovers, clothes and shoes to wear because we cannot afford to buy from the shops.

Departmental spokesperson, Joe Maila, said eating food from such places was dangerous and unhealthy as it was exposed to diseases.

Maila urged people who suspect that they had eaten poisoned food, or who get sick after eating food from such people to report to the department.

Spokesperson for the Polokwane municipality Simon Mokwatedi said they had dispatched enough security guards at the dump site who operated inside from 7am to 7pm every day.

Mokwatedi advised people not to sell or consume food from the dump site as it was dangerous for human consumption.