Gauteng: 41 children consume rat poison they mistook for candy

The Gauteng Department of Health says it is concerned by the alarming rise in food poisoning incidents after 41 children allegedly consumed rat poison they mistook for candy.

The department says 41 children between three and five have been receiving medical treatment at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONCERNED BY FOOD POISONING INCIDENTS

The Gauteng Department of Health said on Monday, 15 April, a total of 41 children between the ages of three to five years, who have allegedly consumed rat poison, mistaking it for candy, have been receiving medical treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Upon medical examination of the 41 children, 17 were admitted on Monday afternoon at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital for overnight observation, while the remaining 24 were discharged home in satisfactory condition.

The incident reportedly happened at a preschool, and more investigations are ongoing to establish the truth.

Earlier this year, four children aged two, three, six, and nine years were admitted at Pholosong Regional Hospital in Tsakane following a suspected food poisoning incident.

Sadly, the fifth child, aged six, who was a grade one learner at Mandlethu Primary School and who started vomiting in class, was declared dead upon arrival of the paramedics.

TWO ADULTS ALSO ADMITTED

In another food poisoning incident, ten people, including two adults and eight children, were referred to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Ekurhuleni from Ramokonopi Community Health Centre on Monday night.

According to the department, the two adults were discharged after receiving medical care last night, and two children were also discharged this morning. In contrast, the six remaining children are still admitted to the hospital and in stable condition.

In addition, the department said these two incidents bring the total number of food-borne incidents recorded cumulatively to 863, which have sadly claimed 11 lives since the first incident in October 2023.

“The Department calls on all arms of society, particularly parents and caregivers, to play their part in protecting children from the risks of food poisoning to safeguard their health and prevent further incidents,” the department urged.

CABINET CONCERNED BY REPORTED INCIDENTS

In 2023, Cabinet also raised concern about the spate of food poisoning incidents involving children, especially those who consumed expired and contaminated foods from spaza shops and street vendors.

The concern came after the death of children who allegedly consumed poisonous food items bought from spaza shops, which were reported in Gauteng and North West provinces.

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