Top Score Instant Porridge safe
Namib Mills confirmed that its product, the popular Top Score instant porridge, is safe for human consumption. This stems from claims in South Africa that eating the porridge may have contributed to the death of three children in the Eastern Cape.The product was consequently immediately removed from the shelves in Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Lesotho, pending the results of various laboratory tests to determine the product’s safety.
According to Namib Mills' senior brand manager Marné Bouwer, the results of the tests confirm that “Top Score Instant porridge is safe for consumption. The tests involved not only the series in question (06/08/2024) but also several series of different flavours and production dates, to further assure consumers and stakeholders that our product contains no health risk and meets the highest standards of food safety,” the statement read.
Independent tests
The tests were carried out by an independent laboratory in South Africa which was accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). The laboratory tested the product for the presence of more than 200 pesticides and also for heavy metals and, according to Bouwer, also carried out microbiological analysis to eliminate bacteria, viruses and toxins.
Specifically, the porridge from 9 October, strawberry-flavoured instant porridge from January 3, banana from May 2, peanut butter from May 23, toffee from May 28, banana from May 27, porridge from May 29, toffee from August 5 and vanilla from August 19 and tested September 27.
"The results confirm that our product ranges across all flavours are free of harmful substances and meet the highest standards of food safety. Top Score instant porridge is completely safe for human consumption," emphasizes Namib Mills' statement.
Checks
However, Bouwer warns that contamination can still happen after the product leaves Namib Mills. She urged consumers to ensure their instant porridge is sealed before opening and using it. Consumers must also ensure that it is properly stored, handled hygienically transported safely and not bought after the expiry date.
Furthermore, she says that South African regulatory authorities also have their laboratory tests done and that the results of these tests must be awaited before Top Score Instant Porridge will appear on Namibian shelves again. - [email protected]