Kaya News Reporter
An estimated 120 pupils were hospitalised in the Eastern Cape due to food poisoning this week.
The learners started complaining of stomach aches and were vomiting after eating lunch from the school’s feeding scheme.
Learners from Ikamva Lesizwe Primary school in Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape were rushed to hospital to be treated.
Expired meat or spoiled milk is being blamed as the cause for the mass food poisoning.
Learners received a meal of pap and meat on the day.
The school says it’s difficult to hold anyone accountable as the extreme heat could have been the reason the food spoiled.
Parents contribute towards the school’s nutrition programme and the lunches are prepared and paid for by the parents who were appointed by the governing body.
The Eastern Cape Education Department says loadshedding could have been the reason the food supply went bad.
All pupils who were hospitalised have since been discharged and there were no serious symptoms other than nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The Department of Health have taken samples to determine the exact cause of the poisoning.
Results of the tests could take a week. Meanwhile the department will advise the school as to whether the fridges need to be replaced.
This isn’t the first incident of food poisoning in the Eastern Cape. In November, 3 children died after eating contaminated noodles in the province.
In other news: Cape Town on track to end loadshedding woes with renewable energy



