Cabinet concerned over spate of food poisoning incidents
Recently children have fallen sick or died from suspected food poisoning after eating food items allegedly bought from spaza shops.
Cabinet has raised concern on the spate of food poisoning of children from eating expired and contaminated foodstuff from spaza shops and street vendors.
This follows the recent death of children after allegedly consuming poisonous food items bought from spaza shops, which were reported in Gauteng and North West provinces.
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GOVERNMENT CONCERNED OVER FOOD POISONING INCIDENTS
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said there will be immediate joint inspections of businesses, in particular spaza shops, by the Departments of Labour, Health, Small Business Development and Home Affairs immigration inspection teams to enforce compliance with applicable laws.
Ntshavheni said during the recent International Migration Workshop it was decided that an audit of spaza shops in villages and townships, and mechanisms to register them by both traditional leaders and municipalities, will be undertaken.
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The Minister said there are also efforts to support traditional authorities to keep a record of foreign nationals in their communities.
“Business licensing legislation is being amended to support all those who wish to trade in the informal sector,” she added.
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MINORS DIE AFTER CONSUMING SWEETS AND CHIPS
On 4 October, the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that two minors who consumed sweets and chips allegedly bought from a local vendor have died due to suspected food poisoning.
Four boys aged two, three, four and six from West Rand District allegedly consumed sweets and chips from a vendor at West Deep in Westonaria. Sadly two of the children aged two and three were declared dead on arrival at Bekkersdal West Community Health Centre.
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In a similar incident, two Grade 1 boy learners from Soweto, Gauteng passed away while two others are in a critical condition after eating biscuits and juice they allegedly bought from a local spaza shop.
The two boys from Kgauhelo Primary School and Karabo Primary School reportedly passed away on Sunday, 1 October.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said all the learners reportedly ate biscuits and juice bought from a spaza shop in their area. Their health began deteriorating after consuming the goods.