No evidence that packets of chips made 11 children ill, investigation finds

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has announced that its investigation into an alleged foodborne illness, after 11 schoolchildren from KwaNonqaba were hospitalised on 18 November, has been concluded.

GRDM executive mayor, Andrew Stroebel, said the district municipality's environmental health practitioners (EHPs) concluded that "no traces of toxic chemicals were present in any of the batches of chips” the schoolchildren ate that day.

The GRDM previously stated that the children were reported to have fallen ill after consuming chips purchased from local spaza shops and vendors near their school.

Mossel Bay Advertiser reported at the time of the incident that the children, from Imekhaya Primary School, reportedly shared packets of chips purchased from a nearby spaza shop, before experiencing severe cramps and itchy skin. They were rushed to Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital and discharged later that day.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Nadia Ferriera, had also previously told the Advertiser that a three-year-old child was taken to hospital later on 18 November with the same symptoms and was kept for observation. The child was discharged the following day.

According to Stroebel, in the GRDM's statement released today, 13 December, the mandate of GRDM is to send similar batches of chip packets for testing to the National Health Laboratory Service's forensic chemistry laboratory, to screen for potential contamination. The mandate of the police is to send actual foreign objects found in food packaging for testing.

“Testing a specific batch of a product is crucial for pinpointing contamination or irregularities linked to a particular production or handling period. This process ensures traceability and prevents inaccurate generalisations about a product’s safety,” said Stroebel

“According to the laboratory test results, the toxicology analysis confirmed that no traces of toxic chemicals were present in any of the batches of chips. The EHPs have concluded that there is no evidence that the chips were the cause of the illness of the children,” said Stroebel.

It is unclear what the cause of the children's illness was.
To report any incidents of suspected counterfeit or tampered foods, members of the public are urged to contact their nearest police station or the GRDM's Environmental Health Services.

The contact details are:
• Johan Compion – Senior Manager: Municipal Health, Solid Waste Management & Air Quality Control. jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1550 / 082 803 5161.
• Desmond Paulse – Manager: Municipal Health Klein Karoo. desmond@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 272 2241 / 083 678 6530; 94 St John Street, Oudtshoorn.
• Rinay Cloete – Acting Chief: Municipal Health Mossel Bay. rinay@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 693 0006 / 083 630 6108; C/O Sampson & Marling Street, Ext 23, Mossel Bay.
• Emmy Douglas – Chief: Municipal Health George (Outeniqua). emmy@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1537 / 078 457 2824; Mission Street, Industrial Area, George.
• Jessica Erasmus – Acting Chief: Municipal Health George (Wilderness); jessica@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 803 1522 / 081 346 3118; Mission Street, Industrial Area, George.
• James McCarthy – Chief: Municipal Health Knysna (Lakes). james@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 382 7214 / 082 805 9417; 26A Queen Street, Knysna.
• Gawie Vos – Chief: Municipal Health Bitou (Lakes). Gjvos@gardenroute.gov.za; 044 501 1600 / 083 557 1522; 7 Gibb Street, Plettenberg Bay.
• Haemish Herwels – Chief: Municipal Health Hessequa (Langeberg). haemish@gardenroute.gov.za; 028 713 2438 / 083 678 6545; 23 Mitchell Street, Riversdale.

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