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An instant porridge has been pulled from shelves in South Africa following the deaths of three young children, reportedly after consuming the product.
According to police spokesperson Lt. Col. Siphokazi Mawisa, the children, aged 18 months to four years, complained of stomach pain after eating Top Score Instant Porridge and tragically passed away on Friday. The product had been purchased from a Spar supermarket, which has since instructed all its stores to remove the porridge from sale.
Namib Mills, the Namibian manufacturer of the porridge, expressed its condolences to the affected families and stated, “Although there is currently no evidence linking our product to this tragic event, we are taking the matter very seriously.” The company confirmed it has voluntarily withdrawn the product from shelves while investigations are underway.
“We are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities and have also launched an internal investigation to ensure transparency,” the company added.
The three children were from two families in Eastern Cape province, and a fourth child, aged seven, was also reportedly hospitalized after eating the porridge but has since been discharged. The children had eaten the vanilla-flavored version, but all flavors of the product have been recalled as a precaution.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of death, and samples of the porridge have been sent to the National Health Laboratory Services for analysis, according to Buffalo City Municipal spokesperson Bongani Fuzile. Investigations are ongoing.
