Namib Mills, producers of Top Score Instant Porridge, says independent tests have confirmed that their product is safe and free from any contaminants.
This follows the tragic incident in Mdantsane, in the Eastern Cape, in late September, where three children from the same family died after eating bowls of porridge.
In response, Namib Mills temporarily recalled all variants of Top Score Instant Porridge from their markets in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Zambia on 29 September 2024.
READ: Toddler deaths: Porridge brand recalled out of an ‘abundance of caution’
Namib Mills sent their products for rigorous testing to an independent, SANAS-accredited laboratory in South Africa.
The company says the results confirm that Top Score Instant Porridge is safe for consumption.
Spokesperson Marne Bouwer says this testing included not only the specific batch in question – 06/08/2024 – but also multiple batches across different flavours and production dates.
She says the independent laboratory conducted a series of rigorous tests, including:
- Pesticide Analysis: Testing for over 200 different pesticides to ensure none are detected.
- Heavy Metals Analysis: Ensuring no traces of harmful heavy metals are detected.
- Microbiological Analysis: Confirming the absence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or
toxins.
In addition to the batch in question, the tests were also applied to the following batches and flavours:
- Maize 09/10/2023
- Strawberry 03/01/2024
- Banana 02/05/2024
- Peanut Butter 23/05/2024
- Toffee Caramel 28/05/2024
- Banana 27/05/2024
- Maize 29/05/2024
- Toffee Caramel 05/08/2024
- Vanilla 19/08/2024
- Vanilla 27/09/2024
”The test results confirm that our product batches across all variants (flavours) are free from harmful contaminants and comply with the highest standards of food safety. Top Score Instant Porridge is entirely safe for human consumption.”
The possibility that contamination occurred, after the products left the factory gate, is now in question.
The police in the Eastern Cape this week said they are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests following the deaths of the three young children.
