Suspected food poisoning at Pretoria school

An investigation is currently underway into a possible case of food poisoning at Rodney Mokoena Primary School in Soshanguve.

This comes after 78 learners became ill last week after consuming food from the school nutrition programme.

The affected learners vomited and complained of stomach cramps before they were transported to nearby clinics for treatment, while four were referred to the hospital.

The children have since recovered.

Tshwane Health and the Department of Education are working together to determine the cause of the illness.

The results of food sample tests are expected this week.

“The information at our disposal reveals that the affected learners were vomiting and complaining of stomach cramps after consuming food from the school nutrition programme,” said departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona.

Mabona said a sample plate of food for that day had also been taken for testing.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to support all affected,” he said.

The department visited the school to offer psycho-social and other necessary support to all affected by this incident.

Community leader and parent Thomas Rammala said he was shocked to hear that learners were taken to clinics due to eating school food that made them sick.

Rammala said the children were taken to and observed by Soshanguve TT clinic before being discharged.

“This very much worrying state of the food (sic) served to our children by the education department.”

A group of angry parents went to close the school down on Wednesday, demanding answers from the principal.

Gauteng DA conducted an oversight inspection at the school.

DA shadow MEC for education Khume Ramulifho called on the department to urgently implement adequate safety and hygiene measures in school nutrition programmes.

Ramulifho said seven food handlers from the school have been suspended for not following instructions on preparing the samp served to learners.

Ramulifho said the DA demanded that the department ensure that all kitchen facilities and personnel meet health standards.

“The municipality should conduct regular inspections to assess the compliance and quality of food provided to learners in our schools,” Ramulifho said.

Tshwane MMC for health Rina Marx and a team of health experts inspected the food preparation facility at the school.

“Our environmental health practitioners used the opportunity to brief food handlers on the correct way to handle food,” Marx said.

Marx said the recent incident brought to light the critical importance of municipal health services (MHS), a function of the health department.

“The primary purpose of MHS is to ensure a clean, healthy and safe environment with a strong emphasis on preventing disease, monitoring water quality, ensuring wholesome foods,” Marx said.

Marx said her department was assisting with investigations into a possible food-borne disease incident.

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