The Gauteng Department of Education has instructed all schools to suspend the sale of food within and around school premises until further notice.
Department spokesperson Steven Mabona said this decision was taken following recent and alarming increase in incidents of food-borne illnesses affecting learners across various schools in the province.
“The Department is deeply concerned by how these incidents have led to both loss of life and illness among learners.
“In response, we are implementing immediate measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our learners.”
He said in future, schools and school governing bodies (SGBs) are instructed to closely monitor and regulate vendors, tuck shops, and other outlets that sell food to learners.
Mabona said schools had to ensure and monitor that only food of nutritional value is sold within or near school premises.
“No expired or repackaged food items are sold to learners.”
In addition, the Department said any individual or business selling food to learners must comply with Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, which governs the safety and acceptability of food.
“All food vendors and traders must obtain a Certificate of Acceptability by contacting their local Health Department’s Environmental Health Division before selling any food to learners.”
Mabona said food premises or stalls must be inspected and approved before operating.
“SGBs are responsible for ensuring vendors’ compliance with these regulations, which include verification that all food items are properly bar-coded and sourced from reputable suppliers.”
The Department calls on schools to enforce these guidelines rigorously.
The Department said these guidelines are being emphasised for future purposes and for now all food sales are suspended.
“Instances of non-compliance must be reported immediately to both the District Office and the Department of Health.”
The Department said to further protect the safety of learners, schools and SGBs are advised to issue a circular to parents, encouraging them to prepare meals at home instead of providing lunch money, “until the relevant authorities issue updated guidelines for food vendors.”
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said schools are encouraged to engage community organisations, education stakeholders, and small business associations to foster collaborative efforts aimed at preventing further incidents of food-borne illness.
In October, 16 pupils from Emmangweni Primary School in Tembisa experienced dizziness and vomiting from a suspected food-borne illness.
The Department said the pupils had consumed atchaar which they bought from other pupils.
This week, at least 110 pupils from Tamaho Primary School in Katlehong were rushed to hospital after falling ill from a suspected food-borne illness.
The pupils began vomiting and experiencing stomach cramps after eating samp at school during break time.
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