Deaths of two KZN kids from ‘expired food’ probed
Local government
in KZN says it has been investigating the deaths of two children thought to
have become ill after eating expired food and medication from local shops.
Inspectors from the department's business regulations and consumer protection unit have launched an investigation into the two cases.
Food samples have been collected for forensic analysis.
One child was found to have taken Grand-Pa pain medication that he bought from a store in uMthwalume.
Another boy had eaten polony from a shop in Kwamashu.
The Department of Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KZN says the children were found to have consumed the outdated products in mid-August.
The department's Ndabe Sibiya says they've been inundated with complaints about shops selling expired food items.
READ: IFP: Dumping of expired food leading to bloodshed at KZN landfills
"Shortly after conducting a raid in Malukazi in Umlazi and following the arrest of two undocumented foreign nationals, there has been an avalanche of complaints and tip-offs regarding counterfeit products and expired foods. We've been informed about the alleged use of hijacked buildings to store and sell expired food and counterfeit goods."
Cabinet on Monday announced plans to inspect and audit spaza shops after four children in Soweto and the west of Johannesburg died, allegedly after buying snacks from local informal stores.
