A popular instant porridge brand has been withdrawn from sale across South Africa following the deaths of three young children who reportedly consumed the product, authorities said Monday.
The children, aged between 18 months and four years, died on Friday after complaining of stomach pains following consumption of Top Score Instant Porridge, according to Lt Col Siphokazi Mawisa, a police spokesperson who spoke to the Daily Maverick newspaper.
Spar, the supermarket chain where the porridge was purchased, has instructed all its stores to remove the product from shelves immediately.
Namib Mills, the Namibian company that manufactures the porridge, issued a statement saying, “Although there is currently no evidence linking our product to this unfortunate event, we are taking the matter very seriously.” The company expressed condolences to the affected families and pledged full cooperation with authorities during the investigation.
The incident occurred in the Eastern Cape province. A fourth child, aged seven, also fell ill but was discharged from the hospital over the weekend, local media reported.
Buffalo City Municipal spokeswoman Bongani Fuzile told the Daily Maverick that samples of the porridge have been sent to the National Health Laboratory Services for testing and analysis. The exact cause of the children’s deaths remains unclear.
While the children reportedly consumed the vanilla-flavored variety, all flavors of the instant porridge have been recalled as a precautionary measure.
bbc.com
