The Department of Agriculture will conduct inspections at all five registered Terbufos manufacturers in the coming days to assess regulatory controls and verify the use of markers in locally produced products to distinguish them from illegally imported chemicals, Cape town Etc reports.
This follows the death of at least 22 people, including children, with many others hospitalised due to chemical poisoning from food.
According to a media statement by the South African Government , ministers heading multidisciplinary teams for the national response to foodborne illnesses held a media briefing on Thursday to outline the government's action plan.
At the briefing, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said there are five Terbufos manufacturers in South Africa, and the department plans to engage with them to ensure supply chain security and legitimate end-use.
Steenhuisen said the department is also waiting for independent laboratory results of samples taken during the inspection of spaza shops in Gauteng to see if there is a potential match in South African products.
