Mystery deepens over East London child deaths as Top Score porridge tests clear

The manufacturer of Top Score Instant Maize Porridge initially linked to the deaths of three children in Mdantsane, East London, said they had both the porridge that was left in the house and other samples tested, and nothing was identified that could be harmful to children.

The product, produced by Namib Mills, was pulled off the shelves in South Africa and Namibia on Sunday, 29 September 2024 as a “precautionary measure” after a preliminary investigation into the death of two one-year-olds and a four-year-old indicated that the maize meal porridge might be the cause.

The police have opened three inquest dockets following the deaths.

The three children are from two families and have been identified as four-year-old Lithembelihle Bambela, 17-month-old Iminathi Bambela and 18-month-old Live Ndudane.

Buffalo City mayor Princess Faku’s spokesperson, Bongani Fuzile, said at the time that it had been confirmed that the porridge was bought at the Spar Highway Mdantsane and that the product had been removed from the shelves of Spar shops in the Eastern Cape. Spar later recalled the porridge from all its stores.

Read more: Top Score Instant Porridge recalled nationally after three children die in Eastern Cape

On Wednesday, 9 October 2024, Namib Mills spokesperson Marne Bouwer said that even though there was no evidence linking the product to the incident, the company conducted testing out of an abundance of caution to ensure consumer safety and confidence.

“We also sent our products for rigorous testing to an independent, SANAS-accredited laboratory in South Africa. The results confirm that Top Score Instant Porridge is safe for consumption.

“This testing encompassed not only the specific batch in question but also multiple batches across different flavours and production dates to further reassure consumers and stakeholders that our product poses no health risk and complies with the highest standards in food safety.”

The independent laboratory conducted a series of tests, including pesticide analysis, as organophosphate poisoning was suspected to be the cause of the children’s demise. 

According to the lab results, tests were carried out for more than 200 different pesticides to ensure none was detected. No harmful heavy metals and no disease-causing bacteria, viruses or toxins were found.

“Top Score Instant Porridge is entirely safe for human consumption,” Bouwer said.

“However, there is always a possibility that contamination may occur after the products leave our control,” she said.

She added that the product must not be used if the seal is compromised, and must be stored properly and handled hygienically.

The tests requested by the Buffalo City Metro have not been completed yet. DM