Johannesburg — The Gauteng Department of Education has instructed all schools to suspend the sale of food from vendors and spaza shops on and around school premises.
In a statement released on Friday, the Department said the decision comes after an increasing number of foodborne illnesses have hit the province.
“The Department is deeply concerned by how these incidents have led to both loss of life and illness among learners,” the Department’s Steve Mabona said.
It implemented immediate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the learners, and schools and SGBs were encouraged to monitor and regulate vendors.
The Department said schools must ensure that only foods with nutritional value are sold, no expired foods are sold to learners and individuals or businesses selling food to learners must comply with Regulation 638, which governs the safety of food.
Schools also called on vendors to obtain a Certificate of Acceptability and contact local Health Departments before selling food to learners, premises must be inspected before operating and it is the responsibility of the SGBs to ensure vendors are compliant with the regulations.
The Department’s MEC, Matome Chiloane, said schools must implement the guidelines rigorously and also advised schools to issue a circular to parents to prepare meals at home until authorities issue updated guidelines.
“Schools are encouraged to engage community organisations, education stakeholders and small business associations to foster collaborative efforts aimed at preventing further incidents of foodborne illness,” Chiloane concluded.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has instructed all schools to temporarily suspend the sale of food on or near school premises due to a rise in cases of foodborne illnesses among learners in the province. pic.twitter.com/roSI8XKqc3
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) November 8, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
