A 12-year-old boy from Mfuleni, Cape Town, has undergone medical testing after reportedly consuming ginger biscuits that allegedly contained a suspicious tablet hidden inside one of the cookies. The father, concerned for his son’s health, is now warning other parents about the risks of buying food from informal spaza shops, following a frightening discovery.
The incident occurred on Sunday when the boy purchased a packet of ginger biscuits from the Gabrielle Cash Store in Bosasa, Mfuleni. While eating the biscuits, the boy found one that contained a purple and white capsule marked with the code 30 L 30. Upon discovering the capsule, the boy’s father immediately became concerned.
“He showed us the biscuit, and although he had eaten some of the packet, he hadn’t noticed anything strange,” the father explained. He further noted that the family inspected the entire packet and later went to the store with police. A search of the store’s stock confirmed that no other biscuits appeared to be contaminated, raising questions about how the suspicious capsule ended up inside the biscuit.
“I feared the worst,” the father said. “We have heard about incidents where children died after consuming food from spaza shops, and I feared my son could fall ill too.” In response to the potential danger, the father rushed his son to a clinic for medical testing the following day, stating, “I didn’t want to lose my son and took every precaution.”
Upon visiting the spaza shop on Monday, the owner confirmed they were aware of the incident but claimed that the batch of ginger biscuits had been disposed of. The shopkeeper, who was not present when the incident occurred, explained that they buy their products from a wholesaler in Mfuleni. “We don’t sell expired food, and we check the stock regularly, throwing away any old items,” the shopkeeper said. “We are registered and have all the necessary papers to operate.”
However, questions remain regarding the safety of food sold in spaza shops, especially in light of a recent meat factory bust in Mfuleni, where it was discovered that dog food had been used in the production of sausages. This has raised alarm about food safety in the area.
The incident has sparked concerns about food safety in spaza shops, which are not required to be registered but must adhere to certain health regulations. Patricia van der Ross, the Mayco member for Community Services and Health, emphasized that anyone handling food must have a valid Certificate of Acceptability. She explained that while spaza shops are not specifically required to be registered, they must comply with the Health Act and Food Regulations.
“The City’s Environmental Health Practitioners conduct inspections of all premises, including spaza shops, at least twice a year. If any issues are identified or complaints are made, more frequent inspections are carried out until the matter is resolved,” she said.
As of now, there are nearly 3,000 spaza-type businesses operating in the informal economy across the city, with many of them offering prepared foods or snacks to local residents. Van der Ross urged the public to report any health-related concerns or complaints about food safety at spaza shops to the local Environmental Health Office.
The incident comes amid rising concerns over food safety at informal food outlets across the country. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a series of inspections at spaza shops in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, following reports of several children dying after consuming contaminated food. This move is seen as part of a broader effort to improve food safety and reduce the risks associated with buying from informal food vendors.
As the investigation into the contaminated ginger biscuits continues, both the family and local authorities are calling for greater vigilance in ensuring food safety in informal settings, particularly where children are concerned.
This alarming incident serves as a reminder to both parents and authorities about the potential dangers of food sold at spaza shops. As the boy’s father expressed, “I keep asking myself about other kids who might have eaten pills without knowing.” His hope is that this incident will raise awareness and prompt greater oversight of food sold in informal sectors, especially to prevent future tragedies.
Parents are urged to be cautious when purchasing food from informal outlets and to report any concerns they may have about food safety in their communities. Regular inspections and increased awareness can help prevent such dangerous incidents in the future, ensuring that children are protected from unsafe food sources.
For now, the family is awaiting the results of the medical tests, while the authorities continue to investigate the origins of the contaminated biscuits.
