Food poisoning outbreak: School food blamed!

THE SGB Federation in Limpopo calls for suspension of the school nutrition programme.

This follows an incident where 56 pupils from Thokgwaneng Primary School in Ga-Chuene, Capricorn district, were rushed to Lebowakgomo Hospital on Friday, 1 November. Allegedly, the pupils were fed contaminated food by the school.

SGB Federation Limpopo's convenor, Apostle Derick Mosaona, revealed that the principal ordered the cooks to continue serving the food despite warnings about its condition.

"On Friday, we learnt of disturbing news that our kids were being fed contaminated food. The cooks at the school informed us that when they started preparing the meals, they noticed a bad smell. They alerted the principal, who allegedly instructed them to continue cooking because they couldn't afford to waste food and didn't want to get into trouble with the Department of Education," he said.

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Mosaona firmly believes that the root cause of the ongoing food poisoning incidents at schools is not hawkers or spaza shops.

"This incident occurred despite a ban on hawkers at all schools across the province. It vindicates our stance that the food provided by school nutrition programmes is the root cause of these food poisoning cases.

"We are considering legal action through the Limpopo High Court to press for an official suspension of the school nutrition program to prevent further risk to pupils. Additionally, we call on parents to support this move," said Mosaona.

This incident comes at a time when numerous food poisoning cases are being reported across the country, allegedly after some kids consumed snacks bought from spaza shops and hawkers.

The most recent case involved a 10-year-old girl from Alexandra, north Joburg who allegedly consumed food bought from a spaza shop.

Responding to Daily Sun's request for comment, Department of Education spokeswoman Mosebjane Kgafe said they're still investigating the incident.

"We will revert back to you once we are done with our internal investigations," said Kgafe.