In an attempt to get to the bottom of the recent food poisoning incidents in Soweto, the Department of Health has deployed a team of 80 environmental health inspectors to investigate the cause of the outbreaks. Several food poisoning incidents have been reported since the death of six children from Naledi, Soweto, who are believed to have eaten snacks called "Brown Dash" bought from a foreign-owned spaza shop.

FOOD POISONING

According to the department, the environmental health inspectors have been sent to Soweto to search for chemicals believed to be behind the series of food poisoning incidents. The department believes that a "chemical agent" is most likely responsible for the spate of sudden food-related illnesses and deaths in Gauteng in the past few weeks. "Those affected have concluded that these ailments are a result of food poisoning emanating from foodstuff, particularly snacks, sold by foreign-owned spaza shops. This has become the generally held view in the country, which prompted some people to take action based on this belief and understanding," said Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi. He added, "These increasing incidents in black communities have led to an unfortunate and unsubstantiated perception that authorities are turning a blind eye to this crisis and seem not to care about what's happening to the citizens," Motsoaledi said.

A MATTER OF URGENCY

Department spokesperson, Foster Mohale, confirmed that the police and health officials are working around the clock in an attempt to unravel this mystery. "We are dealing with a chemical agent and this must be identified as a matter of urgency". Mohale said the environmental inspectors have been undergoing training and the started their work today. Gauteng has seen a series of food poisoning incidents, which led to the death of six children in Soweto. In Bronkhorspruit, 22 learners from Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary were rushed to the hospital after they fell sick allegedly from eating snacks. It's alleged that the 25 learners bought the snacks from street vendors outside the school.

Meanwhile, a total of 22 learners from Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal are said to have been admitted to Machibini Clinic after allegedly eating snacks they bought from vendors trading outside the school. It is reported that the vendors stocked the snacks from a shop owned by a foreign national in the area.