Following a troubling rise in food poisoning incidents, the Gauteng Department of Education has issued an urgent directive suspending the sale of food within and near school premises. The measure follows several tragic incidents where learners fell ill or died after consuming snacks from local vendors and spaza shops.
In recent weeks, numerous learners were admitted to hospitals, with some cases proving fatal, sparking public outrage and concern. The decision, which affects schools throughout the province, reflects Gauteng Education’s commitment to protecting students’ health amidst a significant increase in foodborne illnesses.
Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Education Department, expressed deep concern over the tragic incidents impacting learners’ health, saying, “The department is deeply concerned by how these incidents have led to both loss of life and illness among learners.” The department has therefore directed schools and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to regulate the activities of vendors, tuckshops, and food traders operating in proximity to schools.
New Guidelines for Food Sales Near Schools
To prevent further incidents, the department has outlined specific regulations for food vendors and tuckshops selling food to learners:
- Nutritional Value Requirement: Only food items with adequate nutritional value will be permitted for sale on or near school grounds. This regulation seeks to reduce the availability of unhealthy and potentially harmful snacks often sold at schools.
- No Expired or Repackaged Food: Schools are instructed to ensure that no expired or repackaged food items are offered to learners, reducing the risk of food poisoning from improperly stored or outdated products.
- Compliance with Regulation 638: Vendors are required to adhere to the health standards set out in Regulation 638 of 22 June 2018, which regulates the safety, storage, and preparation of food for public sale. This includes compliance with food handling and preparation standards aimed at ensuring all food sold meets public health requirements.
The department also calls on schools, SGBs, vendors, and other stakeholders to understand and enforce these standards, highlighting the urgency of maintaining a safe school environment.
Rising Concerns Over School Food Safety
Parents, school officials, and health advocates have expressed growing concern over food safety within school premises, especially in under-resourced communities where access to quality food options can be limited. This has led to a growing reliance on inexpensive and often low-quality food from spaza shops and informal vendors, sometimes located just outside school boundaries.
With this suspension, Gauteng Education aims to send a strong message about the importance of safeguarding learners’ health. By enforcing these measures, the department hopes to curb the alarming trend of foodborne illness incidents among learners, addressing not only the immediate risks but also encouraging more nutritious options for students.
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