Top Score instant porridge back on the shelves after probe

The commission initially called on South African consumers to stop using the product in September this year and return it to retailers after reports emerged that three children had died after allegedly consuming the maize meal product in the Eastern Cape.

Spokesperson Pheto Ntaba said an investigation was then launched to determine whether the Namibian company had broken the Consumer Protection Act in producing and supplying the one kilogram of vanilla-flavoured product.

“For this investigation, the NCC required all the relevant information, laboratory tests conducted on the retention samples and distributed product of the associated batch, as well as input from stakeholders including the Buffalo City municipality,” Ntaba said.

“The investigation confirmed that all the tests were conducted by accredited laboratories and could be relied upon. The laboratory tests covered chemical analysis, including tests for the presence of organophosphates in the product.”  

The Spar Group, the product's Buffalo City retailer, became part of the investigation.

Pheto said the investigation was complex as there were reported deaths in Buffalo City allegedly linked to the product.

“It was, therefore, necessary for the NCC to conduct a thorough investigation and consult all other relevant regulatory authorities,” Pheto explained.

“The final analysis of the laboratory tests conducted on the batches did not show traces of contaminants of concern, necessitating the closure of the product recall, meaning that the product could be supplied to the market.”

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