Johannesburg – The Department of Basic Education says to tackle the recent spate of food poisoning school governing bodies and management teams should play a leading role in ensuring that healthy food snacks and beverages are sold to learners.
“While the school has no jurisdiction over the street vendors, the school community should make an effort to keep a database of individuals selling food and beverage items on or near the school premises,” the department said in a statement released on Sunday, (27 October 2024).
“This means that the entire community where the school is located should take responsibility for the wellbeing of its children especially if the items consumed are sold outside school premises.”
The department said it was reacting to “increasing reports of food poisoning” involving children of schoolgoing age.
“These incidents of food poisoning have disrupted teaching and learning as the majority of the cases affected learners during school hours,” the department said.
“As a result, school time has been directed towards assisting the affected learners with medical attention.
“In addition, the psycho-social impact of such incidents continues to have negative effects on both the learners and teachers.
“Schools and communities in general are places where our young children should feel and be safe.”
The department said schools should hold meetings with school-based tuck shop operators on the nutritional value of different products being sold.
“Parents, guardians, and caregivers are urged to be on high alert and to monitor the food items children consume and most importantly to verify the source of such items,” the statement said.
However, some media reports have suggested that the food poisoning challenge was linked to the National School Nutrition Programme.
The department said these media reports have “incorrectly attributed the food poisoning incidents to the National School Nutrition Programme, no evidence has been found in this regard.”
The programme provides nutritious meals to 9.7 million learners on school days.
“With that said the DBE has the responsibility to intensify its efforts to improve food safety and hygiene practices and to raise awareness,” said the statement.
The Department emphasised strict adherence to 5 basic hygiene practices which are as follows;
(1) Keep clean,
(2) separate cooked and raw food,
(3) cook thoroughly,
(4) keep food at safe temperature and
(5) use safe water and raw materials.
“With the use of these basic principles the system is able to provide safe healthy meals to more than nine million learners daily without an incident that threatens lives,” said the statement.
In cases of suspected poisoning, communities must report this to the municipality and the South African Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman on 0800 029 999.
The SABC reports that Since February 2024, Gauteng has reported over 200 cases of food poisoning.
At least 16 fatalities, predominantly among children, have been linked to consuming poisoned food.
Other food poisoning incidents have been reported in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Meanwhile, the department conveyed condolences to the families of the children who had passed away as a result of consuming poisoned food items.
