Spar East Cape in South Africa has cautioned distributors to remove the Namibia Top Score vanilla-flavoured instant maize after it emerged that three children died from suspected food poisoning after consuming the product.

Division head Siyolo Dick in a statement indicated that as a precaution, they have requested the immediate removal of the soft porridge from the shelves until they have received forensic details and laboratory results.

“All stock of this product at our distribution centres is being located, and suspended from further supply,” added Dick.

Talking to this publication yesterday, NamibMills’ brand manager Márne Bouwer confirmed the incident, saying they would release a statement in due course.

According to South African media, three children in Mdantsane died from suspected food poisoning after eating instant porridge bought from a supermarket on Friday.

The media further reports that on Saturday morning, Metro health inspectors, along with the South African Police Service, the Department of Health and BCM Law-Enforcement, responded to a report that four children had been rushed to the hospital after consuming the instant porridge.

Three of the children, aged between one and four years, died. Two of the three deceased are from the same household. The remaining one has been discharged.