Among the recent cases in Ekurhuleni were the Xaba brothers, aged nine and six, who died after eating snacks bought from a spaza shop in Katlehong. Cases of food poisoning have also been reported 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 the school premises was due to the recent increase in incidents of foodborne illness affecting learners in various schools in the province.

The department said it is deeply concerned about how these incidents have led to loss of life and illness among students.

“In response, we are implementing immediate measures to protect the health and well-being of our learners.

“We have instructed schools and SGBs to monitor and regulate vendors, shops and other outlets that sell food to students,” the department said.

Schools are advised to ensure the following:
• Only foods with nutritional value may be sold on or near the school premises.
• No expired or repackaged food products may be sold to students.
• Any natural person or business that sells food to learners complies with Regulation 638 of June 22, 2018, which regulates the safety and acceptability of food.
• Schools, SGBs, vendors and traders need to familiarize themselves with the new rules.

Schools and SGBs are further reminded of the previous guidance issued by the GDE to regulate the sale of food to pupils:
• All food vendors and traders must obtain a Certificate of Acceptability by contacting the Environmental Health Division of the local Health Department before selling food to students.
• Food premises or stalls must be inspected and approved prior to operation.
• SGBs must ensure vendor compliance with these regulations, which includes verifying that all food products have appropriate barcodes and come from reputable suppliers.

The department requires schools to apply these guidelines rigorously, and cases of non-compliance should be reported to both the district office and the Department of Health.

READ ALSO: Poisoning cases on the rise – CoE

To further protect learners, schools and SGBs, the department has advised schools to issue a circular to parents, encouraging them to prepare meals at home instead of providing lunch money, until relevant authorities issue updated guidelines for food vendors. food.

In addition, the department encouraged schools to engage community organizations, education stakeholders and small business associations to promote collaborative efforts to prevent further incidents of foodborne illness,” the provincial education department said.

The city will stop the illegal food trade
MMC for Development and Estate Planning Nomadlozi Nkosi has called on all spaza shops, tuck shops and all those dealing in food to comply with the city’s rules and regulations that guide their industry to save lives and end the latest incidents that have led to loss of life. or be “closed”.

“We are ready to close all spaza shops in the city for non-compliance. Before doing so, we are calling on all operators of these businesses to produce their approved building plans, business permits, certificates of acceptability and zoning certificates so that we can verify that they are operating in accordance with city policies and regulations. ” warns Nkosi. He emphasized that there will be no tolerance for undocumented foreign nationals running such businesses.

“Our country is facing a serious challenge of food poisoning, which is leading to the death of school children.

“The CoE mourns the passing of school children from the South and East regions of Ekurhuleni.

“The situation is so bad that it has prompted the provincial government to stop the sale of soft drinks in and around school premises – a move we fully support as a city.”

Nkosi said that starting next week, he will be running campaigns to educate the community and business owners on the “dos and don’ts” of running legal businesses in accordance with the law to protect loved ones, especially those vulnerable.

READ ALSO: How can I protect my child from lead poisoning?

The city plans to hold public meetings throughout the region for the affected parts of the city, starting with the southern region. This will include spaza shop owners, community members and relevant departments.

“These platforms will enable incremental engagements and we will also use them to vet existing businesses. We are against the illegal trade and sale of expired and counterfeit goods in our communities.

“This campaign will involve SAPS, EMPD, Corporate Legal Services, Environmental Health, Economic Development and Economic Development.

“This campaign will also extend to wholesalers in the city. As we continue to build our local economy in the city, we must ensure the safety of our children,” said Nkosi.