Tshwane warns of food contamination risks following learners’ ordeal

The Tshwane Metro Health Department has sounded the alarm on food contamination from pesticides and unhealthy practices after 25 learners from Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, fell ill last week.

The learners consumed snacks bought from street vendors outside their school and began showing symptoms within 30 minutes.

Fortunately, 22 of them were discharged after treatment, while two remained at private medical facilities and one at Zithobeni Clinic.
According to Constable Cathrine Ramovha, all learners have since been discharged.

According to Tshwane Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the Health Department has been monitoring the growing number of food-related disease outbreaks implicating food contaminated by pesticides in neighboring metros.

“The recent incident at Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School highlights the urgent need for action,” Mashigo said.

“We urge residents, especially parents of schoolchildren to be vigilant about food safety.”

Mashigo said sales of repacked (decanted) snacks, sweets, and biscuits are totally prohibited.

He said this prohibition makes it illegal to repack from the original packaging into smaller unlabelled and unidentified smaller quantities or bags.

According to Mashigo, all street food vendors have been warned to stop from buying bulk snacks and repacking them, as the following serious health transgressions are evident from such products:

– Repacked snacks lack labelling and compliance with Regulation R146.
– Possible contamination of snacks with agricultural pesticides, including illegal aldicarb which is considered extremely hazardous by the World Health Organization.
– Non-compliant premises and unapproved packaging materials.
– Rodent infestation and pesticide contamination.

“Pesticide poisoning symptoms include muscle weakness, sweating, confusion, muscle fasciculations (involuntary twitchings), fever, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, running tears, and difficulty urinating.”

He said to prevent food contamination, it is advised to:

– Store meat below 5° C or above 65° C.
– Report places of food repacking or those selling repackaged food/snacks.
– Support educational drives at primary schools.

“Residents are urged to report any concerns to ensure safe food for all,” Mashigo said.

This as police also recently advised the community of Zithobeni to check the expiration date of foodstuffs before they consume them.

Ramovha said in response to the incident, that station commander Colonel Maqhawe Dhladhla led a community engagement initiative in Zithobeni on October 18.

“The event aimed to address the food poisoning incident and prevent business shutdowns and town protests,” said Ramovha.

She said Dhladhla visited local schools, educating learners about buying from street vendors.

“Dhladhla later made school visits throughout the area to educate learners about the importance of checking the expiration date before purchasing chips or snacks,” said Ramovha.

Ramovha said Dhladhla urged teachers to monitor purchases and warned the community about counterfeit products.

She said Dhladhla also warned the community against buying knock-offs because their labelling cannot be authenticated. “To make sure that the products sold in stores are edible, police and other relevant roleplayers will perform inspections.”

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