Children from a primary school in Limpopo were checked for suspected food poisoning last Thursday after 75 of them complained of stomach ache – the day before President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation about the spate of similar cases countrywide.
The principal immediately sent the pupils to Nkhensani Hospital in Giyani, where 11 of them were kept overnight for observation, reports TimesLIVE.
Limpopo Government spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela they were investigating food eaten by the pupils through the national school nutrition programme, and any other food sources that may have contributed to the situation.
In his address to the nation on Friday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined various strategies aimed at arresting the poisonings, widely believed to be linked to pesticides – and spaza shops.
Interventions include the immediate closure of spaza shops linked to any deaths, and the re-registration of all spaza shops within 21 days. Unregistered shops that do not meet health standards will be closed after 21 days, he said.
Since September, 890 cases of food-borne illnesses have been reported nationwide, with Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal leading the field.
In Gauteng alone, more than 441 food contamination incidents – allegedly linked to spaza shops – have been recorded since the beginning of the year. The cases have resulted in 23 deaths, mostly children, reports Daily Maverick.
Several cases have been reported in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Free State and all range from biological (poorly prepared, stored or expired foods) to chemical (poisoning from pesticides).
Last month, six children died after apparently eating snacks bought from a spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. Toxicology reports revealed that terbufos, a highly toxic organophosphate meant solely for agricultural use but often illegally sold as a street pesticide, was responsible for the deaths.
Samples taken from 84 spaza shops during a later inspection by authorities revealed that three of the outlets had evidence of terbufos use.
“A chip packet found on one of the children who had died had traces of terbufos on both the inside and the outside,” Ramaphosa said. He said to get pesticides off the streets, all spaza shops, tuck shops and other informal traders would be subject to door-to-door inspections, to be completed within a month, starting in Gauteng and KwaZaulu-Natal.
Other interventions
The recent deaths spurred widely welcomed action from national government, with Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa gazetting a new by-law to develop and regulate township economies.
The legislation seeks to regulate township businesses owned by foreign nationals, balance the rights of business owners with consumers’ rights to a safe environment, and empower municipalities to set standards and support township businesses.
Ramaphosa said that after a special Cabinet meeting, the following interventions will be undertaken immediately:
• Get hazardous pesticides off the street
Non-compliant businesses and shops linked to any poisoning incidents or found to unlawfully stock hazardous chemicals will be shut down.
Additionally, regulations and protocols on the traceability, repackaging, destruction and sale of pesticides, insecticides and foodstuffs will be strengthened.
• Protect children from exposure to these substances
A circular will be issued by the Department of Basic Education, which will inform provincial Education Departments and all schools on best practice protocols for preventing and managing foodborne illnesses.
The guidelines for schools on the management of suppliers of foodstuffs to public schools will be reviewed and updated by the beginning of the new school year.
A public education programme on food safety and the identification, handling and storage of dangerous chemicals will be launched.
• Prevent future outbreaks
Local municipalities have been directed to address the problem of rat infestations by cleaning cities and towns and removing waste.
All deaths of patients 12 years and younger will be made notifiable in the Notifiable Medical Condition Surveillance System.
Ramaposa said the Department of Agriculture was in the process of reviewing and updating all relevant legislation with respect to the regulation and authorisation of agricultural pesticides in South Africa.
“South Africans are again called upon to work together to overcome a great difficulty… We need to be better informed about the risks of pesticides and other dangerous products. Each of us needs to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of those around us, particularly the children,” he said.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Gauteng Premier bans terbufos sales at spaza shops after poisonings
430 EC school children to hospital after food poisoning
Health inspector army seeks ‘chemical agent’ tied to food poisonings
Pesticides may have a role in Gauteng ‘food poisonings’