Spar recalls instant porridge after the deaths of three toddlers

Major retailer Spar has issued a recall for Top Score instant maize porridge following the deaths of three children who reportedly consumed it in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape.

The incident reportedly happened last Friday, 27 September.

SPAR RECALLS TOP SCORE INSTANT PORRIDGE

Following the incident, Spar urged its branches to remove the vanilla-flavoured instant porridge until laboratory tests results are back.

Spar Eastern Cape managing director Siyolo Dick said all stock of the porridge at their distribution centres is being located and suspended from further supply.

“We will provide an update as soon as the test results are available and advise if any further action is necessary,” Dick said.

CHILDREN DIE AFTER CONSUMING PAP

In a similar incident in 2023 police in Brits, North West opened an inquest docket for investigation after two children died after eating pap and chicken feet.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in North West, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone it is alleged that a 32-year-old woman cooked meal (pap, chicken feet and wheat) for the family, in November at Regorogile in Sonop outside Brits. 

All the family members and their neighbours’ three children ate the meal and everybody went to sleep.

Mabokgwane said the children, aged between two and 17, became ill and vomited in the early hours of Saturday morning, 18 November 2023.  

“An ambulance was called, but one of the children was declared dead at the scene while others including the neighbours’ kids as well as the woman who cooked the meal, were taken to Brits Hospital for medical attention.  

“Regrettably, the second child died at the hospital while two other children were later transferred to George Mukhari hospital,” he explained.