JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Department of Education in Gauteng Province, South Africa, on Friday issued a notice to suspend the sales of food at schools following a recent rise in food poisoning cases among children.

In a telephone interview with Xinhua, Xolani Mkhwemte, spokesperson for the Gauteng Education Department, confirmed that they had ordered a halt to food sales on school premises to safeguard the health of students.

"We have instructed all schools to suspend the sales of food within and around school premises until further notice," Mkhwemte said.

Over the past few months, Gauteng has recorded a series of food-borne illnesses among children, with least 10 deaths and hundreds hospitalized.

Mkhwemte said they need "vigorous regulation of food" around campuses, including measures to increase the number of compliance officers and their frequency in visiting tuck shops.

During a media briefing Thursday, Fikile Mbalula, secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC), said tuck shops should be registered before being allowed to reopen, and the party would lead a campaign focusing on the closure of unregistered tuck shops.

Mkhwemte said the department fully support the ANC's decision, adding that despite the halt of food sales on school premises, they are still concerned that children would have access to unsafe foods in communities.

The department emphasized that no expired or packaged foods with low nutritional value should be sold in schools, and advised parents to prepare meals for their children until food vendors fully comply with food safety and nutritional regulations. Enditem

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