By Anita Dangazele
The Free State Education Department has temporarily suspended vendors from selling food at schools across the province while an investigation into recent food poisoning incidents is underway. This comes after more than 100 students fell sick last week between Wednesday and Friday.
The suspension does not apply to school tuck shops or vendors approved and supervised by School Governing Bodies (SGBs). Provincial Education Spokesperson Howard Ndaba emphasized the importance of food safety, saying, “Schools are urged to educate learners on the importance of food safety. Schools must compile detailed lists of all authorised vendors operating in or near school premises. These lists must be submitted to Environmental Health Inspectors.”
Among the affected were 47 learners from Ihobe Combined School in Bloemfontein, who were admitted to the hospital.
Sammy Lebogo, a community leader in Mangaung, has called on officials to urgently investigate the source of the suspected food poisoning. Many are worried about students becoming ill from food bought at schools or local spaza shops.
“We are waiting for specialist people to come and verify,” said Lebogo. “The government must bring health inspectors to check food products or anything sold here at TFS. If the shops in the area are the problem, and they’re buying from TFS, then the wholesaler becomes our biggest concern.”
Lebogo added that the community wants the area shut down until health inspectors, the municipality, and the government can verify the safety of the food.
Pictured above: Food vendors at a school.
Source: Anita Dangazele
