No trace of rat poison found in tested goods from foreign-owned shop
The foreign-owned shop was in a satisfactory condition.
When Refilwe Usman (six) died on February 6 of alleged food poisoning, the Tsakani community blamed the foreign shop owner who sold her father biscuits. However, an investigation by the CoE’s health inspectors found no defect in the goods tested.
According to Zweli Dlamini, the spokesperson of the CoE, an environmental health practitioner immediately went to investigate after learning of Refilwe’s demise at Mandlethu Primary School.
“Upon arrival at the school, they (the health practitioner) observed a school child lying on the floor. Later, the emergency services team arrived and declared the child dead at the scene,” explained Dlamini.
Her symptoms were consistent with aldicarb poisoning. According to the SA Guide-Dogs Association, aldicarb is used primarily as a nematicide which kills insects commonly found among crops and vegetation.
Insecticides containing aldicarb are no longer available for purchase in stores. The chemical has been used to poison dogs and other animals.
Refilwe’s father, Lucky Mkhwanazi, was interviewed. He told the investigators that he bought five packets of biscuits of various brands. They were for Refilwe, her younger sibling and three neighbours.
He further confirmed that Refilwe did not consume any breakfast that morning. After Refilwe’s death, the four other children were transported to Pholosong Hospital and later discharged.
“No left-over biscuits were found at the scene,” added Dlamini.
The environmental health practitioner then visited the shop on Madonsela Street, where the father bought the biscuits.
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The investigation revealed:
• All the biscuits (sampled) complied with the labelling regulation and the packaging was intact.
• There were no traces of rodent infestation identified.
• The biscuits were sampled for chemical analysis (bacteriological analysis cannot be done on dry foodstuff).
• The shop was in a satisfactory condition.
• The shop owner did not have a Certificate of Acceptability, and a 14-day statutory notice was issued for non-compliance with R638 (regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters).
• The owner received health education on food safety.
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The investigation was extended to the home of the deceased. It was discovered that:
• No leftovers from the food consumed the previous night were found.
• There were traces of rodent infestation outside the house (barrows and droppings).
• No traces of any rodent or pest control poisons were identified.
• The owner informed the official that they do not use rodenticides or other poisons in the household.
In another case, a 14-year-old girl from a different school reported having stomach cramps on February 7. She is alleged to have eaten chicken stew and pap the previous night and biscuits on her way to school in the morning.
According to Dlamini, no leftovers were found, and no name or package for the biscuits was presented to the officials.
“She was transported to hospital and discharged the same day. Allegations of food poisoning could not be proven, and no further investigations were conducted,” he added.
