Celani Sikhakhane
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) named Howe Instant Noodles as the brand they are investigating in connection with the death of three children in the Eastern Cape last month.
Siblings Sinothando Ngwendu, 11, Olwam Ngwendu, seven, and their four-month-old cousin Athenkosi Ngwendu from Motherwell in Gqeberha died hours after eating the noodles.
A week later, another two siblings aged 13 and nine died within an hour of each other after eating instant noodles.
Acting Commissioner Thezi Mabuza from NCC confirmed on Thursday that Howe Instant Noodles supplies Grandisync CC from Uitenhage were being investigated.
“The Commission was saddened to hear that three children passed on after consuming two-minute noodles.
“We have been working with other regulators, but at this point, with the information before us, we have reasonable suspicion to believe that the supplier supplied unsafe goods which has the potential to cause harm to consumers and the public in general,” Mabuza said in a statement.
Mabuza said they are waiting for the results from the laboratory.
“Should our investigation reveal that, indeed, Grandisync CC contravened the provisions of the Act, we will refer the matter to the National Consumer Tribunal for the imposition of an administrative fine of 10% of their total annual turnover or R1 million, whichever is the greater,” Mabuza said.
Mabuza added that as regulators in the food safety environment, they will get to the bottom of this matter to ensure that those liable are held accountable.
“We urge consumers to practice good food hygiene. Suppliers are obligated to protect consumers; where there are potential hazards, suppliers are required to inform the relevant regulators and consumers,” Mabuza said.
