Health officials identify chemical linked to SA’s food poisoning crisis: Motsoaledi

JOHANNESBURG - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has revealed that health officials have identified a chemical believed to be linked to the suspected cases of food poisoning.

Motsoaledi shared this information during a media briefing held by the African National Congress’ national executive committee’s sub-committee on peace and stability on Friday.

There has been a recent rise in cases involving children experiencing medical complications allegedly linked to food items bought from spaza shops.

Earlier this month, six children died in Naledi, Soweto, after consuming snacks bought from a local store in the area.

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Motsoaledi revealed the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is investigating the recent increase in suspected food poisoning cases.

He added health inspectors have examined 84 spaza shops in Soweto and discovered a chemical that cannot be disclosed at this stage. 

Motsoaledi said scientists are assessing the chemical to determine its potential effects.

“During that search, they did confess that there is an illegal chemical which they bought at a mall in Johannesburg.”

Health officials, he further shared, confiscated over 1,456 grams (almost 1,5kg) of the chemical.