11 food poisoning deaths since October – Gauteng Health Department

Food poisoning

Cape Town — The Gauteng Health Department has confirmed that a total 0f 11 people, including children, have died from food poisoning in the province since the start of October 2023.

Gauteng is grappling with a food poisoning epidemic, and spaza shops are being closely examined for selling products that have resulted in cases of food poisoning, particularly among young children who purchase snacks before heading to school.

According to a Health Department statement, there have been 861 such food incidents which have resulted in 11 deaths.

The latest incident saw four children aged two, three, six, and nine were in a stable condition in Pholosong Hospital in Tsakane on Wednesday after they were admitted on Tuesday afternoon with suspected food poisoning.

Sadly, a fifth child – grade 1 pupil at Mandlethu Primary School –  started vomiting in class allegedly after eating biscuits bought from a spaza shop, was declared dead by paramedics at her school.

“The department continues to urge people to immediately visit their nearest health facilities for treatment when they present with symptoms such as vomiting, sudden chest pains, body ache/weakness, fever, or foaming at the mouth.” Health Department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, said.

As a precautionary measure, food samples including the biscuits have been collected from the shop and will undergo laboratory investigations to determine if there were any contaminants or other factors that may have contributed to the incident. Blood and urine samples have been taken to the laboratory from the hospitalised children, the department added.

The provincial and district outbreak response team have conducted investigations and public health and safety blitz at spaza shops in Tsakane to raise awareness to the public regarding the alleged food poisoning.

” This is part of ongoing efforts to empower communities on food safety tips such as food handling, preparation, storage, the importance of checking food expiry labels and hand washing before handling food,” Modiba said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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