By Lebone Rodah Mosima

Forty learners from Ekwazini Secondary School in Mpumalanga were taken to hospital on Tuesday after developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning after eating snacks known as Krunchy Nax, the provincial education department said on Wednesday.

“Initially, three learners reported stomach cramps, prompting school authorities to act swiftly and request medical assistance,” the department said.

As more learners developed similar symptoms, 40 were transported to the hospital for further assessment and observation.

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The department said all affected learners were in a stable, non-critical condition and had since been discharged.

It said health inspectors had been deployed to investigate the incident and that samples of the suspected snacks, as well as other food items and water sources, had been collected for laboratory testing.

While the investigation is under way, the department urged parents and guardians to warn children about the dangers of buying and eating food from unverified and informal shops.

“Parents and guardians are urged to have ongoing conversations with their children about food safety, the risks associated with unregulated products, and the importance of making responsible choices,” the department said.

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The department also praised the response of school management, educators and health officials, saying their swift action helped protect learners and contain the situation.

It said it would continue to monitor developments at the school and provide updates as more information becomes available.

INSIDE EDUCATION