Porridge recalled after three children died in South Africa

An instant porridge has been withdrawn from sale in South Africa after three young children reportedly died after eating it.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa told local newspaper Daily Maverick that children, aged from 18 months to four years, had complained of stomach pains after eating Top Score Instant Porridge before they died on Friday.

Supermarket Spar, where the porridge was purchased, has instructed all stores to remove the product from the shelves.

The Namibian company that made the porridge, Namib Mills, said that while there is currently no evidence linking our product to this unfortunate event, we are taking the matter very seriously.

It extended its condolences to the affected families and said their product would be removed while the investigation continues.

“We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities and have also launched our own internal investigation to ensure full transparency,” the report said.

The three children came from two families in the Eastern Cape province. A fourth child, aged seven, also reportedly fell ill after eating the porridge, but was released from hospital over the weekend.

The children would have eaten the vanilla flavored porridge, but all the flavors have been removed.

It is unclear what exactly caused the deaths of the three children.

Buffalo City municipal spokeswoman Bongani Fuzile told the Daily Maverick that samples of the porridge have been taken to the National Health Laboratory Services for testing and analysis.