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13th ASSAf Presidential Roundtable: A Systems Approach to Curb Food-related Poisoning in South Africa
Year of Publication : 2025
Language : en
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Abstract (English) : According to media reports, approximately twenty-two (22) children have died from food poisoning-related illnesses since the beginning of 2024 to date. About 3000 cases of suspected food poisoning were reported to the Notifiable Medical Conditions System. Reports by the Ministers of Health and Police have confirmed that the cause of these deaths was poisoning by hazardous organophosphate chemicals. President Cyril Ramaphosa identified toxic terbufos and aldicarb, the street pesticides referred to as 'Galephirimi', commonly sold and used illegally in townships and informal settlements to control rats, as the toxic agents linked to the surge in poisonings. Consumption of snacks purchased from spaza shops has been widely reported as the primary exposure route.
Terbufos, aldicarb and other organophosphates are commonly associated with suicides and contribute to notable child and adolescent accidental mortality. The SA government announced stringent interventions following the deaths of the children due to food poisoning in order to curb the crisis and these include:
a. Removing hazardous pesticides: closing down spaza shops and street vendors implicated in the distribution of contaminated snacks; inspecting all registered manufactures and distributors of terbufos to prevent illegal selling,
b. Strengthening food safety regulations: mandating the registration of all spaza shops within a 21-dayperiod; reviewing guidelines for the supply and management of foodstuffs to public schools; intensifying efforts to trace, test, and regulate food and chemical products; assisting township and rural businesses to comply with safety regulations and also improve their infrastructure,
c. Educating the public: launching public education campaigns on food safety,
d. Improving waste management by municipalities to address the rat infestation problem, etc.
Notably, the poisoning incidents have been limited to certain pockets of society, mainly townships and rural areas, and have been exclusive to public schools. In South Africa and other developing nations, accidental pesticide poisoning disproportionately impacts poorer communities. Therefore, to address the food poisoning crisis meaningfully with sustainable outcomes requires a multi-faceted, systematic approach that encompasses public and environmental health, food safety, social, economic and regulatory dimensions.
It is on this basis that the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted the 13th ASSAf Presidential Roundtable facilitated by ASSAf President, Prof Thokozani Majozi titled “A Systems Approach to Curb Food-related Poisoning in South Africa” to:
I. Increase awareness on the issue of food-poisoning related incidents, especially in townships and rural areas; and
II. Provide recommendations on how best various government service delivery portfolios, organisations and the society at large can systematically approach this challenge.
The panellists included Prof Hanna-Andrea Rother (UCT), Prof Lise Korsten (UP) and Prof Caliphs Zvinowanda (UJ). The roundtable was attended by over 100 participants, including the private and public sector, civil society and the general public.
The ASSAf Presidential Roundtables (PRT) on Science, Scholarship and Society are evidence-based dialogues that bring together high-level experts and stakeholders to address critical issues affecting society at large and are of interest to a broad audience. The roundtables are hosted bi-annually by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and are moderated by the President of the Academy.
Publisher : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Sponsorship : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Peer Review Status : Non-Peer Reviewed
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