An online petition to recall instant noodles has amassed nearly 20 000 signatures.
The petition on Change.org was launched on 18 November following the deaths of five children, including a four-month-old in the Eastern Cape, who experienced nausea and stomach cramps after allegedly eating instant noodles.
In Gqeberha, three children died while being taken to the clinic, while in Mpumalanga, nine-year-old Thato and 13-year-old Keamogetswe Makofane died after arriving at the health facility.
The petition was started by Thato Majola, who implored the Department of Health to initiate an immediate product recall for the brands involved.
The names of the brands have not yet been revealed while the department and police are investigating the deaths.
“We demand justice for the children who died after allegedly eating noodles,” said Majola.
Majola said his daughter’s daycare lunch bag usually included instant noodles as it was easy and quick to prepare and he was concerned as a parent.
The petition calls for the Department of Health to also visit factories for inspection, compile a report on their findings and make the report public.
“The Department of Health must also make public the noodles brand that is killing children.”