MBABANE – Is your child’s food helping them grow or killing them slowly?
Thousands of children in Eswatini’s primary schools may be consuming toxic aluminium with every hot meal, health experts warn, as silver three-legged pots become the cookware of choice.
In Eswatini, government provides free meals to children to ensure that they are do not go to class on an empty stomach. Though most schools are reported to be using properly graded pots, some may be using the low-quality ones that could cause poisoning.
While the programme successfully fights hunger and encourages attendance, scientists say the very pots used to prepare food in some schools could be damaging young brains.
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, most schools across Eswatini use traditional cast iron pots for their feeding programmes, but concerns have been raised that a number of schools may be opting for cheaper aluminium alternatives, a choice that could have serious consequences for children.
South Africa’s Dr Renee Street, a specialist scientist at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), said silver three-legged pots are made from aluminium and are not safe for cooking, particularly for acidic foods common in school menus.
“Aluminium pots are not recommended for cooking, as research shows that cooking with aluminium pots can increase the amount of aluminium in food,” said Dr Street.
She said aluminium is a toxic metal that can be harmful to the human body when exposed to high amounts. Adding, she stated that aluminium pots can corrode and leach aluminium into food, especially when cooking acidic foods such as tomato sauce, or spicy foods.
In Eswatini’s school kitchens, cooks regularly prepare tomato-based stews, bean dishes and porridges, often cooked for hours over open fires or hot plates. It is this process that accelerates the leaching of the toxic metal.
Unlike traditional three-legged black pots made from cast iron, the silver alternatives are lightweight, cheap and readily available at markets across the country, from Manzini to Siteki.
Dr Street said long-term exposure to high levels of aluminium has been associated with neurotoxicity, which can affect brain function.
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Pots similar to these could be poisoning you according to a report by the South African Medical Research Council. (Pic: Times Live-South Africa)