Gauteng Health 'intensifies' food safety campaign after 'poisoning' deaths
The Gauteng Department of Health says its outbreak response team has intensified a food health awareness campaign following the recent food poisoning incident in Naledi, Soweto.
Two children died, allegedly after eating poisonous biscuits they had bought from the foreign-owned spaza shop on Sunday.
Two other children survived the incident and were rushed to hospital.
The cause of the children’s deaths is yet to be confirmed as authorities have not released the results of the post-mortem.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says the team spent Wednesday in Naledi and surrounding areas engaging locals and conducting health education about food.
"The health education also covers spaza shops in the area and includes checking compliance in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics And Disinfectants Act and food labelling regulations."
Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has called on all spheres of government to work together to enforce compliance with the relevant laws.
"The department is urging the public to visit their nearest health facilities when they present with symptoms such as: vomiting, sudden chest pains, body ache/weakness, fever or foam in the mouth.
"The outbreak response team comprising of, Environmental Health Practitioners (health inspectors) from the municipality and the province, Ward-Based Outreach Teams, Communicable Disease Control specialists, Surveillance Officer, Infection Control and Health Promoters will continue to conduct awareness campaigns in Naledi and surrounding
areas on Thursday and Friday.
"The police have since taken samples for further processing. The source of the food poisoning is not confirmed subject to the police investigation."
ALSO READ
