Cape Town - Two teenagers are on the mend after they were hospitalised, allegedly after consuming chips from a shop in Tafelsig, prompting their parents to call for swift action from health inspectors.
Ashlyn Johnson, 17, and Zhiwario van Rooyen, 17, were hospitalised on Saturday after consuming Cannon Ball Maize Nakks from the A2Z Cash Store located near Ruwenzori Street.
Heinrich Isaacs, Johnson’s father, recounted the shocking moment when he found his son unable to move and feeling unwell.
“It was a bit of a shock to me when I saw him.
“He had no feeling in his body. He went bleak and couldn't walk.
“He threw-up as well.
“When I asked him what he ate, he said they ate the chips last,” he said.
Isaacs said his son required intravenous fluids, as a doctor later diagnosed him with food poisoning.
“The important thing is that he is out of danger, and he is recovering well, the drip that they gave him worked,” he said.
Zenzia Klaase, Van Rooyen’s mother, expressed relief that her son is on the mend, acknowledging the situation could have been much worse.
“It could have been so much different. “The Lord carried me through it.
“I would like to have the health inspector please do something about the matter,” she said.
In response, an employee at the shop, named Sumsoon, said the chips were not the cause of the boys' illness, suggesting they might have “smoked” something else before eating the chips.
He directed further inquiries to his manager, who was unavailable.
The Cape Argus visited the shop yesterday, where a health inspector advised Sumsoon to refrain from selling any more products until test results were received.
Both parents dismissed the allegations made against their sons, asserting that their sons are well-behaved churchgoers who do not smoke or drink.
Isaacs said: “They took blood samples, and the results showed his blood is clean.”
Klaase added: “My child and Ashlyn are good kids who don’t engage in such activities.”
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Monique Johnstone, said test results for food poisoning came back negative.
She said the case has been refereed to the City's Environmental Health officials for further investigation.
In response, mayco member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, said regular audits and inspections of food handling premises were conduced by the City's Environmental Health Practitioners.
“Premises that have been found compliant with food regulations are issued with a Certificate of Acceptability which must be displayed in the premises.
“Residents are encouraged to look out for this certification issued by City Health where they purchase their food.
“It is, however, illegal to remove or tamper with dates on products, and then sell them.
“Equally important to note, if stored correctly, most items that have past their best before dates are still perfectly fine to consume, apart from having lost some of its nutritional value.”
Ward councillor, Washiela Harris, expressed concern over the situation, emphasising that both boys were at serious risk.
“Definitely a great concern as this could have harmed or even killed those youth,” she said.
Van Der Ross said questions or concerns about food safety can be directed to the nearest Environmental Health Office directly, or via one of the City’s clinics; via the City’s Technical Operations Centre on 0860 103 089, or via an electronic service request around food safety on the City’s website.
Cape Argus