Ban on food sales 'too drastic' will impact students, says AfriForum

The GDE ordered all schools on Friday to suspend the sale of food in and around school buildings until further notice.

Lobby group AfriForum said the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) guidelines to ban the sale of food on school premises “may be too drastic as it will negatively impact students or even expose them to greater danger”.

The GDE ordered all schools on Friday to suspend the sale of food in and around school buildings until further notice.

This decision was made in response to the recent and alarming increase in the number of foodborne illnesses among students at several schools in the province.

Gauteng has experienced a surge in deaths and hospital admissions due to the consumption of food and snacks from spaza shops and vendors.

Drastic measures

Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s head of cultural affairs, said that while the civil rights organization agrees that steps to prevent more cases and deaths are essential, it believes the measures are “far too drastic”.

“For some children, recognized tuck shops on the school grounds are the only way to get lunch. These suppliers also organize school parties. Additionally, some even provide food for privately funded programs supporting needy children. In addition, the sale offers the opportunity to obtain additional financing for schools.

“By banning the sale of food from approved vendors who meet the necessary registration and health requirements, students are now forced to purchase food or snacks from unapproved vendors outside school premises, exposing them to greater risks, in instead of protecting them,” Bailey said. .

Allow authorized sellers

In a letter, AfriForum requested the GDE to allow authorized vendors, who can demonstrate that they meet all requirements and comply with health regulations, to resume the sale of food in schools.

AfriForum has also asked the department to engage with all relevant municipalities and the Ministry of Health to ensure that health inspectors visit suppliers near schools to determine whether they are meeting all requirements.

“Similar guidance from education authorities in other provinces will also be followed by AfriForum,” Bailey said.

AfriForum has expressed its sincere condolences to all those who have lost family members due to food poisoning or have become ill themselves.

Intervention

On Sunday, Gauteng Prime Minister Panyaza Lesufi revealed that 23 children have died, with 441 cases of food contamination reported in spaza shops since January.

Lesufi said the Gauteng government has announced an intervention plan following an emergency meeting with executive mayors, MMCs, speakers, department heads and municipal managers.

He said the province was implementing immediate measures, including mandatory re-registration of spaza shops, new uniform bylaws in all municipalities, weekly appointments and meetings, and regular health inspections and compliance monitoring.

Lesufi emphasized the need for good regulation.