DBE Urges Schools to Safeguard Learners from Food Poisoning Risks Amid Rising Incidents
Written by Phakeme Mnguni on 28 October, 2024
By: Buhle Mbhele
The Department of Basic Education says that to address the scourge of food poisoning among children, School Governing Bodies and Management Teams need to ensure the safety of food, snacks, and beverages sold to learners.
The department says that while schools have no jurisdiction over street vendors, the school community should make an effort to keep a database of individuals selling food and beverage items on or near school premises.
This comes in the wake of increasing reports of food poisoning incidents involving children across the country. In KwaZulu-Natal, police are investigating the case of 43 learners from uMtubatuba who were hospitalised this month for related issues.
The department’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, urges a collaborative effort to address this matter.
“The food poisoning incidents have caused chaos and disruptions in schools over and above the fact that they are threatening lives.
“We are urging parents, caregivers, and guardians to ensure that they talk to their children about the things they eat, where they buy them, and safety in particular. And they need to try to eat from trusted sources because of the chaos that has been happening as a result of the food poisoning incidents that have been reported in many parts of the country.”