What are ‘scrubs’? New products consumed by students raise alarm
The department said these claims must be investigated and scientifically tested by the relevant authorities.
The Gauteng Department of Education is investigating a potentially hazardous product known as "scrubs" being consumed by students in schools. Education MEC Lebogang Maile has called for urgent police intervention to protect pupils from this unknown substance. Maile has written to Gauteng provincial police commissioner, requesting a coordinated response involving multiple authorities to examine the product's source, composition, and suppliers.
The exact origin and contents of "scrubs" remain unverified, with claims that it consists of used cooking oil, chicken remnants, and spices from fast-food outlets not independently confirmed. Maile emphasized the need for scientific testing by relevant authorities and urged businesses to take responsibility for their waste disposal practices.
The Gauteng Department of Education's fact-finding process concluded that schools comply with the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) regarding food safety. However, Maile cautioned against conflating independently purchased products with meals provided through the NSNP, warning that sensational reporting could create panic, undermine trust in the programme, and discourage children from eating school meals.
The NSNP, which provides daily breakfast and lunch to over 1.7 million pupils across Gauteng, has received R1.69 billion for the 2026/27 financial year.
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