NOODLE manufacturing company, Grandisync, says an investigation has found that its Howe Noodles were safe for human consumption and not responsible for the deaths of five children.
The company recently said that an investigation by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) into its noodles was conducted on December 14 and 15, 2021.
The investigation was launched after three children fell ill after eating a packet of noodles. They died on their way to the Motherwell clinic in Nelson Mandela Bay last November.
In Mpumalanga, two siblings also died after allegedly eating noodles.
“The said investigation was finalised and we are awaiting the official release thereof from the NCC, which we expect to be imminent,” Grandisync said last week.
“We can, however, state that during the said investigation, it was established that it was not our product consumed prior to the two fatal incidents.
“Thus our product is cleared in respect of these incidents.”
The company added that the tests conducted by the police laboratory confirmed the cause of death in the Motherwell case as being poisoning by Termifos, an agricultural insecticide.
“Lastly, we confirm that the results of the independent laboratory tests were available, and it confirmed that our product is safe for human consumption.
“The full tests are available at the request of any interested party.”
However, NCC spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba, told News24 last week, that while the inspectors had completed their engagements with Grandisync, the investigation was ongoing.
Ntaba said that there were other role players, such as the police and Department of Health, that still needed to be consulted.
“The inspectors have no authority to and cannot clear anyone until an investigation is completed and a full report has been produced.”
She added that it was premature for the NCC to comment, as the investigations had not yet been completed.
