Namib Mills withdraws product from market after alleged deaths of children

NAMPA
2024-09-30
WINDHOEK, 29 SEP (NAMPA)- Namib Mills has temporarily withdrawn Top Score Instant Porridge products from the market, after reports that three children allegedly died after consuming the vanilla flavored instant porridge in South Africa.

According to a statement released on Sunday by Marné Bouwer, Namibia Mills' Senior Brand Manager, the products are withdrawn as a proactive measure, while an investigation is underway.

NamibMills’ response follows a widely circulated letter purportedly by the Spar Group cautioning all retailers to remove all Top Score vannila-flavoured instant porridge products from their shelves after three children in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, died after consuming home-cooked porridge.

“First and foremost, the loss of life, especially of young children, is a tragedy, and our deepest condolences go out to the families and communities affected. While there is currently no evidence linking our product to this unfortunate event, we are taking the matter very seriously,” Bouwer said, adding that they are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities.

The company, she added, has also initiated its own internal investigation to ensure complete transparency.

“At Namib Mills, the health and well-being of our consumers is our top priority. We adhere to stringent food safety protocols and regulations. Our production facilities operate under the highest standards, and our products undergo rigorous testing, including industry standard quality assessments. We understand the concerns that this situation may cause,” Bouwer added.

She also maintained that Namib Mils will continue to provide further updates.
(NAMPA)
EB/HP

Latest NAMPA photos

EPUKIRO, 14 January 2026 - Epukiro Secondary School's staff celebrates the school's achievement in the Grade 12 NSSCAS results. (Photo: Contributed)

EPUKIRO, 14 January 2026 - Epukiro Secondary School's staff celebrates the school's achievement in the Grade 12 NSSCAS results. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 14 January 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp pictured during the official announcement of the 2025 NSSCO and NSSCAS examination results in Windhoek. (Photo by: Justina Shuumbwa) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 14 January 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp pictured during the official announcement of the 2025 NSSCO and NSSCAS examination results in Windhoek. (Photo by: Justina Shuumbwa) NAMPA

NAMPA
KATIMA MULILO, 13 January 2026 - Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Ruthy Masake speaking at the first Zambezi regional youth indaba here on Tuesday. She is pictured with acting Regional Governor and Kabbe North Constituency Councillor, Bernard Sisamu. (Photo by: Michael Mutonga Liswaniso) NAMPA

KATIMA MULILO, 13 January 2026 - Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Ruthy Masake speaking at the first Zambezi regional youth indaba here on Tuesday. She is pictured with acting Regional Governor and Kabbe North Constituency Councillor, Bernard Sisamu. (Photo by: Michael Mutonga Liswaniso) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 13 January 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp pictured with some of the top performing learners in the 2025 national examinations. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 13 January 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp pictured with some of the top performing learners in the 2025 national examinations. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA
RUNDU, 12 January 2026 - Andreas Muyongo Mungongi, who made his first appearance in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

RUNDU, 12 January 2026 - Andreas Muyongo Mungongi, who made his first appearance in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

NAMPA
SWAKOPMUND, 13 January 2026 - Stakeholders attending the five-day SADC Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS) workshop, which is being held under the second phase of the support towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy in Swakopmund. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 13 January 2026 - Stakeholders attending the five-day SADC Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS) workshop, which is being held under the second phase of the support towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy in Swakopmund. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA
RUNDU, 12 January 2026 - Kavango East Director of Education, Christine Shilima. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

RUNDU, 12 January 2026 - Kavango East Director of Education, Christine Shilima. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

NAMPA
SWAKOPMUND, 12 January 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp visited several schools in Swakopmund as part of her ministry’s assessment on how schools in Erongo Region were opening and to present the 2025 national examination results to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 12 January 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp visited several schools in Swakopmund as part of her ministry’s assessment on how schools in Erongo Region were opening and to present the 2025 national examination results to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA