By Kaya 959 Reporter
The National Consumer Council is investigating Grandisyn CC, supplier of Howe Instant Noodles following the deaths of three children in the Eastern Cape last month.
The NCC has been working with other regulators. Acting Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza, says so far, there is reasonable suspicion to believe that the supplier supplied unsafe goods.
She confirmed that an investigation has been launched.
Mabuza says should the investigation reveal that indeed Grandisny CC contravened the provision of the Act, the NCC will refer the matter to the National Consumer Tribunal.
The company faces an administrative fine of 10% of its total annual turnover or R1 000 000.
“As regulators in the food safety environment, we will get to the bottom of this matter to ensure that those liable are held accountable. We urge consumers to practice good food hygiene,” she says.
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Children die after visiting grandparents
Mabuza adds that suppliers are obligated to protect consumers, where there are potential hazards, suppliers are required to inform the relevant regulators and consumers.
The three children died after visiting relatives in New Brighton in the Eastern Cape in November.
The children, aged 11, 7, and 4-months old, went with their grandparents to visit family.
Sinothando Ngwendu, 11, went to the shop to buy a packet of noodles.
SAPS spokesperson, Captain Priscilla Naidu, said Sinothando then cooked the noodles. She and the two other children ate them before they left to go home.
Police say when they arrived home in Motherwell, Sinothando complained that she was feeling nauseous.
“The other child, Olwam Ngwendu (7) also complained of stomach cramps and nausea. While being driven with private transport to the Motherwell clinic, they passed away. Shortly after the two children left for hospital, Athenkosi Ngwendu (4 months old) also passed away while en-route to hospital in another vehicle,” Naidu said.
Police have not confirmed the children’s exact cause of death as yet.
The NCC says it is still awaiting laboratory results but believes its investigation will help it “understand the nature, causes, extent and degree of the risk to the public”.
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