GDE suspends food sales in schools due to cases of food poisoning
Several school children died and dozens were treated at various healthcare centres for suspected food-borne illnesses.
In light recent food poisoning cases, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has instructed all schools in the province to suspend the sale of food in and around school premises until further notice.
On the other hand, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) says it is intensifying its fight against non-compliance, food poisoning and counterfeit goods in the city.
Food poisoning cases, including in Katlehong, Vosloorus, and Tsakani in Ekurhuleni, were reported across the province and county.
Several school children died and dozens were treated at various healthcare centres for suspected food-borne illnesses after consuming snacks bought from either street vendors or local spaza shops.
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Among the recent cases in Ekurhuleni were the Xaba siblings aged nine and six, who reportedly died after eating snacks bought from a spaza shop in Katlehong. Cases of food poisoning have also been recorded in Soweto in the City of Johannesburg.
Protect children’s lives
The department’s statement on November 8, said the decision to suspend the sale of food in and around school premises was because of the recent increase in incidents of food-borne illnesses affecting learners across various schools in the province.
The department said it was deeply concerned by how these incidents have led to loss of lives and illness among learners.
“In response, we are implementing immediate measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our learners.
“We instructed schools and SGBs to monitor and regulate vendors, tuck shops, and other outlets that sell food to learners,” said the department.
Schools are advised to ensure the following:
• Only food of nutritional value may be sold within or near school premises.
• No expired or repackaged food items may be sold to learners.
• Any individual or business selling food to learners complies with Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, which governs the safety and acceptability of food.
• Schools, SGBs, vendors and traders must familiarise themselves with the new rules.
Schools and SGBs are further reminded of prior guidelines issued by the GDE to regulate food sales to learners:
• All food vendors and traders must obtain a Certificate of Acceptability by contacting their local Health Department’s Environmental Health Division before selling food to learners.
• Food premises or stalls must be inspected and approved before operating.
• SGBs must ensure the vendors’ compliance with these regulations, which includes the verification that all food items are properly barcoded and sourced from reputable suppliers.
The department calls on schools to enforce these guidelines rigorously, and instances of non-compliance must be reported to both the district office and the Department of Health.
ALSO READ: Cases of poisoning on the rise – CoE
To further protect learners, schools and SGBs the department advised the schools to issue a circular to parents, encouraging them to prepare meals at home instead of providing lunch money until the relevant authorities issue updated guidelines for food vendors.
Additionally, the department encouraged schools to engage community organisations, education stakeholders, and small business associations to foster collaborative efforts to prevent further incidents of food-borne illness,” said the provincial education department.
City to curb illegal food trading
The MMC of Development Planning and Real Estate Nomadlozi Nkosi has called on all spaza shops, tuck shops and anyone dealing with food to comply with the city’s bylaws and regulations guiding their industry to save lives and end the latest incidents which led to the loss of lives or be ‘shut down’.
“We are prepared to shut down all spaza shops in the city for non-compliance. Before we do this, we call upon all operators of these businesses to produce their approved building plans, business permits, certificates of acceptability and zoning certificates so that we can verify if they are operating in line with the city’s policies and by-laws,” warns Nkosi. He pointed out there will be no tolerance for undocumented foreign nationals running such businesses.
“Our country faces a serious challenge of food poisoning, which is leading to the deaths of school children.
“The CoE mourns the passing of school children in the southern and eastern regions of Ekurhuleni.
“The situation is so bad that it has triggered the provincial government to halt the selling of refreshments in and around school premises – a move we are in full support of as a city.”
Nkosi said from next week she will lead campaigns to educate the community and business owners on the ‘dos and don’ts’ of running legal businesses in compliance with the law to protect our loved ones, especially the vulnerable.
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The city plans to convene public meetings throughout the region for affected parties in the city, starting with the southern region. This will include spaza shop owners, community members and relevant departments.
“These platforms will allow for progressive engagements, and we will also use them to vet the existing businesses. We are against illegal trading and selling of expired and counterfeit goods in our communities.
“This campaign will involve the SAPS, EMPD, Corporate Legal Services, Environmental Health, Economic Development and Economic Development.
“This campaign will also extend to wholesalers across the city. While we continue to build our local economy in the city, we must ensure the safety of our children,” said Nkosi.
