By Odwa Bafana Mkentane
Philippi police have opened an enquiry after six children, aged between six and 15, were rushed to three Cape Town hospitals following a suspected food poisoning incident linked to a two-litre flavoured cooldrink bought at a spaza shop in Ottery. In June, the City of Cape Town’s City Health warned citizens to be alert of fake complaints that could trigger mass panic and concern. Complaints included reports of alleged tablets found in chips and biscuits, as well as paraffin in soft drinks.
Police spokesperson, Ndakhe Gwala says the cool drink has been taken to the forensic laboratory for testing, investigation is ongoing.
Chairperson of the South African National Consumer Union (SANCU), Jennifer Tselentis says the goods that have caused the problem come in at a very cheap price because the manufacturers are not paying any money for safety and they are not paying any provincial taxes.
“This is absolutely devastating. We really don’t want to go back to what happened last year where so many children died. Last year it was a pesticide poison called organophosphates. This has actually been removed. It is a banned substance now in South Africa, but obviously there are farmers that still have this on their premises. It’s banned for sale, so it was withdrawn from the market, so no more can be bought,” said Tselentis.
Photo: Pexels
