insert_link South Africa S.A’s government conducts investigations into the outbreak of foodborne illnesses in several provinces S.A's government says it is coordinating comprehensive investigations into the outbreak of foodborne illnesses in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape. Last week, Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that organophosphates, chemicals found in pesticides, were responsible for the deaths of six children in Soweto last month. They allegedly shared a packet of chips they had bought from a local spaza shop. Government's Gavin Sadler says they are […] todayNovember 5, 2024 2
insert_link South Africa Ramaphosa Says ANC Focused on Serving South Africans ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the party's main focus will be improving groundwork to ensure that it returns to its main mission, which is to serve the people of South Africa. He delivered the closing remarks of the special sitting of the ANC National Executive Committee meeting held at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Gauteng. Ramaphosa says the NEC is determined to build branches that are political and not transactional […] todayOctober 28, 2024 6
insert_link Business / Economics Namib Mills responds to allegations following tragic incident in South Africa Namib Mills has issued a statement regarding the tragic deaths of three children in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa, after consuming home-cooked porridge. The company emphasized that there is no evidence linking their Top Score Instant Porridge to the incident. As a precaution, the product has been temporarily withdrawn from markets in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Lesotho while an independent investigation is conducted. In response to the situation, the […] todayOctober 2, 2024 16
insert_link Environment Hazardous mould contaminates many food staples – what you should know about mycotoxins By Oluwadara Pelumi Omotayo, North-West University Mycotoxins are substances produced by mould that poison food. They are harmful to humans and animals when consumed. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), about 25% of the world’s agricultural harvests are contaminated by mycotoxins. Though reliable data is lacking, mycotoxin contamination is widespread in Africa. It often takes the form of aflatoxin in cereal crops and has led to health […] todayMarch 28, 2024 36
insert_link Health / Medical Scientists and doctors raise global alarm over hormone-disrupting chemicals A farmer spraying pesticides in a rice field. Image by Galeri ega via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). By Alden Wicker via Mongabay A new report makes the strong case that a class of industrial chemicals called endocrine disruptors are behind many diseases on the rise globally. The report calls for stronger global regulations controlling their use and release into the environment. A joint effort by the Endocrine Society and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), the report includes […] todayMarch 5, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s popular wara cheese has a short shelf life: we’ve found a way to keep it fresh for longer By Malomo Adekunbi Adetola, Obafemi Awolowo University Cheese is a highly nutritious food produced in hundreds of varieties around the world. It’s all made by fermenting milk but the results range widely in flavour, texture and end uses. The global market value of cheese was about US$83.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed US$120 billion in 2028. In Nigeria, the most popular cheese is wara, a […] todayFebruary 13, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s street food: tasty but toxic? Expert shares advice to make it safer By Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham In the lively streets of Nigeria’s cities, where delicious street food is a daily delight, a wide variety of food can be bought and consumed instantly. From the sizzling suya snack in Abuja to the aromatic jollof rice in Lagos, street food has become an integral part of Nigerian life. However, beneath these enticing flavours lies a critical question of public safety […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 30
insert_link Africa There are too few toilets in Africa and it’s a public health hazard – how to fix the problem Omololu Fagunwa, Queen's University Belfast and Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham Imagine you are miles from the nearest restroom, and nature’s call is urgent – a situation that might raise a mild panic during a hike or at a music festival. Now, picture that same scenario, not as a one-off inconvenience, but as a daily reality. This is the case for about half a billion people globally. In African countries, […] todayNovember 17, 2023 24