Staff Writer 
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has recorded an increasing number of food poisoning cases affecting children particularly in townships, informal settlements, and hostels communities (TISH). 
A total of 203 food poisoning cases have been reported in schools across the province since the beginning of February 2024 which have, unfortunately, resulted in six deaths. Ekurhuleni region reported 116 cases with 2 deaths, followed by Johannesburg with 40, Tshwane 29 with 1 death, West Rand 14 and sadly all three 3 cases in Sedibeng resulted in deaths.  
The Department is deeply concerned by the circumstances surrounding these deaths of children. For instance, one death happened after a learner ate biscuits purchased from a spaza shop, while three siblings from the same school sadly died after eating crushed biscuits. The two other learners demised after mixing their chips with toxic pesticide (Rattex). 
The GDoH is working closely with the Gauteng Department of Education to heighten awareness by conducting regular health education sessions in schools targeting learners, school vendors and the community at large. These sessions focus on the importance of hand hygiene, proper food handling and preparation, water hygiene, clean environments, sanitation, food expiry dates and the avoidance of damaged tinned food. 
The environmental health teams have increased the number of inspections in and around schools. Preliminary investigations have found that many spaza shops operating in TISH communities do not have compliance certificates and are erected without proper zoning certificates. Some spaza shop owners were also found to sleep inside the shops which further compromises the hygiene standards. The presence of pets in some spaza shops also raises additional concerns about potential contamination.
The non-compliant vendors identified during the inspections were issued with fines and prohibition notices and some of them were closed by the local authorities. 
The GDoH calls on parents and caregivers to exercise extreme caution and play their part in ensuring the safety of their children. It is advisable to consider preparing lunch boxes for children instead of giving them money to buy food at school. Municipalities are urged to also intensify their efforts in enforcing by-laws around the zoning of spaza shops and clamping down on those that do not comply with environmental health requirements. 
Meanwhile the outbreak team which includes health promotion is continuing with community-based awareness and food safety advocacy is incorporated into all TISH outreach campaigns