Minister Gwarube dismisses claims school feeding schemes are sources food-borne illnesses

Minister Gwarube dismisses claims school feeding schemes are sources food-borne illnesses! The alarming rise in food-borne illnesses has led to the government classifying the situation as a national disaster.

Over the past two months, more than 22 children have died after consuming unsafe snacks purchased from spaza shops and street vendors.

In light of this, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has addressed growing concerns about the safety of school feeding schemes.

Minister Dismisses School Feeding Scheme Allegations

Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing in Pretoria on Friday, Minister Gwarube dismissed claims that school feeding programmes are contributing to the food-borne illnesses.

Minister Gwarube dismisses claims

She emphasized that thorough investigations have not linked any of the reported incidents to the National School Nutrition Programme.

“We have done a lot of inspection in terms of the school nutrition programme to figure out where it has been compromised. We have found that a lot of the cases where children have died, these cases have not emanated from the school nutrition programme,” said Gwarube.

Despite the reassurance, the minister acknowledged the need for vigilance and continuous monitoring of school meal programmes.

Calls for Regulation of Informal Food Vendors

The deaths of children have sparked a national outcry, with calls for stricter regulations on spaza shops and informal food vendors. These outlets, which are often a convenient source of food for many, are now under scrutiny for selling contaminated snacks and products.

Government agencies are working on measures to improve food safety standards and clamp down on businesses operating without proper certifications.

“We are aware that children frequently purchase and share snacks brought from spaza shops and street vendors. This contributes to the spread of food-borne illnesses. Therefore, addressing these informal food sources is an urgent priority,” Gwarube explained.

Coordinated Government Response

The crisis has prompted a multidisciplinary response involving several government departments. In addition to the Basic Education Ministry, health authorities, law enforcement, and consumer protection agencies are collaborating to tackle the root causes of the food-borne illness outbreaks.

Health officials have urged parents to be more cautious about the food their children consume and to educate them on the risks associated with buying unregulated snacks.

The Role of School Feeding Schemes

The National School Nutrition Programme provides meals to millions of learners, many of whom rely on these meals as their primary source of nutrition. In light of the recent fatalities, ensuring the programme’s integrity has become even more critical.

Although there is no evidence implicating school feeding schemes in the outbreaks, the Department of Basic Education is taking proactive steps to ensure the continued safety of these meals.

“We remain committed to the highest safety standards in school meal preparation and distribution,” said Gwarube.

Raising Awareness and Community Involvement

The government is ramping up awareness campaigns to educate communities about food safety. Parents, caregivers, and educators are being encouraged to monitor what children consume, especially items purchased from informal markets.

“We must all work together to protect our children. This is not only a government responsibility but a community-wide effort,” Gwarube added.

Conclusion

The recent rise in food-borne illnesses is a sobering reminder of the need for stricter food safety regulations and greater vigilance. While school feeding schemes have been cleared of any wrongdoing, the government’s focus now shifts to regulating informal food vendors and addressing gaps in food safety compliance.

The coordinated response from multiple government departments reflects the seriousness of the crisis and the commitment to preventing further tragedies.

However, it will also require active participation from communities to ensure that children are safe from harmful food products. As the situation unfolds, government agencies will continue to monitor and enforce food safety measures to protect the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

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