PARENTS SHOULD PROTECT CHILDREN AGAINST FOOD POISONING – MEC DANTJIE

By Petrus Siko

With rising cases of food poisoning among schoolchildren, North West MEC for Social Development Basetsana Susanna Dantjie has urged parents to stay vigilant and take responsibility for what their children consume daily.

MEC Dantjie called on parents to exercise caution after recent statistics revealed over 300 reported cases of food poisoning among children in several provinces.

“It’s time for parents to take control over what their children eat. Where possible, they should prepare meals at home and ensure their children have proper lunch boxes. The incidents of food poisoning among school-going children are deeply concerning. One death is one too many. Parents, caregivers, and guardians must protect our children,” Dantjie said on Thursday.

Dantjie, whose department oversees the Children’s Act, encouraged parents to protect their children by educating them on the dangers of consuming expired goods.

“It’s heartbreaking to see children suffer or die from preventable foodborne illnesses. Legal measures should be enforced to regulate food sales, particularly by unlicensed vendors, and to hold accountable those who endanger children,” Dantjie added, urging parents not to take the law into their own hands in protecting their young ones.