The Department of Basic Education says it is concerned by the increasing number of food poisoning incidents involving learners.
Teaching and learning have been disrupted in schools nationwide as learners have had to be rushed to hospitals due to a suspected foodborne illness. Recently, six minors were rushed to hospital in critical condition after allegedly consuming various snacks from local spaza shops.
DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION CONCERNED BY SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING INCIDENTS
On Sunday, the department said many reported incidents related to food items bought through informal vendors.
The department said another major factor is that school camps, tuck shops or vendors do not align with the national school nutrition programme food basket and guidelines due to shifted areas of responsibility.
Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said school governing bodies and management teams should ensure healthy snacks and beverages are sold to learners.
Mhlanga said while the school has no jurisdiction over the street vendors, the school community should try to keep a database of individuals selling food and beverage items on or near the school premises.
“Parents, guardians and caregivers are urged to be on high alert and monitor the food items children consume and most importantly to verify the source of such items.”
CHEMICAL AGENT BEHIND SPATE OF FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES
Recently, the Department of Health confirmed that a chemical agent is behind the food poisoning incidents reported in schools.
“At the end of the careful analysis, the teams concluded that we were dealing with a chemical agent and that this must be identified as urgent.
“A plan has subsequently been hatched to mount a systematic search for the agent causing this malady,” health spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
ARE YOU A PARENT OR A GUARDIAN? HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT THE FOOD YOUR CHILD CONSUMES IS HEALTHY?
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