NAMIBIA – Namib Mills, the Top Score Instant Porridge producer, has announced that its product is safe for consumption after independent tests confirmed the absence of contaminants.
This announcement follows the tragic death of three children in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, in late September 2024, allegedly after consuming the company’s vanilla-flavoured porridge.
In response to the incident, Namib Mills took immediate action by recalling all variants of Top Score Instant Porridge from its markets in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Zambia on September 29, 2024. The recall was conducted as a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety while the company investigated the issue further.
To guarantee transparency and restore consumer confidence, Namib Mills sent samples of the recalled products to an independent laboratory accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) for thorough testing.
The tests included analyses for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and potential microbial contamination.
According to Namib Mills’ Senior Brand Manager, Marne Bouwer, these rigorous tests confirmed that Top Score Instant Porridge is free from harmful substances and poses no health risks.
“Although there is no evidence directly linking our products to the tragic incident, we initiated the recall and conducted independent testing to prioritize consumer safety and maintain trust,” Bouwer stated.
The testing process was comprehensive, examining multiple batches of Top Score Instant Porridge across different flavours and production dates. These tests checked for over 200 different pesticides, none of which were detected.
Additionally, the products were found to be free of harmful heavy metals, and the microbiological analysis confirmed that the porridge contained no disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or toxins.
Among the batches tested were 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, and Vanilla 27/09/2024.
These batches underwent rigorous scrutiny, and the results confirmed that all product variants met the highest standards of food safety.
Bouwer emphasized that the company’s proactive response, including the recall and transparent testing process, was aimed at ensuring consumer confidence in their products. She reassured the public that all flavours of Top Score Instant Porridge comply with strict safety regulations and remain safe for human consumption.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the WorldHERE.