The Richtersveld Local Municipality has issued a warning to community members regarding the sale of products by tuckshops. This advisory follows growing concerns among South Africans about the distribution of expired food items in these establishments, which pose significant health risks to residents, particularly children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The Department of Health has reported that over 20 children nationwide have died due to suspected foodborne illnesses. However, the Namakwa District has not yet recorded any cases of food poisoning.
On Wednesday, November 13, the Richtersveld Municipality undertook an operation to inspect spaza shops in the Port Nolloth area. During these inspections, led by local Mayor Cornell Knoph, Municipality Manager Joseph Cloete, and other stakeholders, it was found that several informal traders were operating with expired licenses and that many of their products were past their expiration dates while still being sold to the public. The municipality noted that these spaza shops also failed to adhere to proper hygiene standards.
The National Health Department has indicated that a chemical known as organophosphate was detected in the bodies of some individuals, although the source of this contamination has yet to be identified. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi mentioned in a media briefing that police discovered a packet of chips in the pocket of one of the deceased boys, but no traces of organophosphate were found in the food itself.
The Department Education last month, refuted media claims linking the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP) to the food poisoning incidents, stating that “no evidence has been found in this regard.”
“The media reports have raised concerns about numerous allegations of food poisoning among school children and an increase in hospitalization cases. It must be made clear that many incidents experienced relate to food items bought through informal vendors,” said the DoE statement. “The other major factor is that school camps, tuck shops or vendors do not align with NSNP food basket and guidelines due to shifted area of responsibility.”
The Department of Health stated that it is collaborating with various stakeholders and municipalities to raise awareness in townships, informal settlements, and hostel communities.
The municipality has urged the communities to exercise caution when purchasing and consuming food items.
