Five children have died in a suspected food poisoning incident in Gauteng, while 35 were rushed to the hospital in a similar incident in Limpopo.
Meanwhile, a Grade 1 pupil is fighting for his life after consuming the food. The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed that a Grade 1 boy learner from Karabo Primary School is still alive and in the intensive care unit.
“We continue to hold him in our thoughts and prayers as he fights for his recovery,” said department spokesperson. Steve Mabona.
The recent food poisoning tragedies have impacted society’s most vulnerable, and should not happen again.
Here are signs you should look out for in expired, toxic or poisoned food:
Types of dates
Heart.org describes a ‘sell-by’ date as indicating how long the food object should be displayed for sale.
An ‘expiration date or expiry date’ is a predetermined period after which something should no longer be utilised, either by operation of law or by exceeding the predicted shelf life for perishable goods.
The ‘best if used by (or before)’ date is suggested for the greatest flavour or quality. This is not a purchase or safety date.
A ‘use-by’ date is the latest advised date for using the product while it is at its optimal quality. The product’s producer determines the date.
However, one can check all these dates and still end up with food poisoning.
Here is how can you tell if food has gone bad while in the store:
“One of the easiest ways to tell if food has gone bad is to look for visible signs of spoilage, such as mould, discolouration, sliminess, or cracks,” wrote food experts on LinkedIn.
They added that these indicators suggest that the food has been contaminated by bacteria, fungus, or other micro-organisms capable of causing food-borne illness.
You should throw away any food that shows signs of deterioration, even if it does not smell or taste bad.
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