More than 40 toddlers in South Africa were hospitalized on Monday after mistakenly ingesting rat poison, which they thought was candy.
Regional health authorities in Gauteng reported that upon medical examination, 17 toddlers were admitted for overnight observation, while the remaining 24 were discharged in satisfactory condition.
Additionally, a group of 10 individuals, including eight children, were referred to a different hospital in the same province on the same day.
Health officials have noted an alarming increase in food poisoning cases, with a total of 863 incidents reported since last October.
They are advising parents and guardians to be more vigilant in protecting children and recommend that anyone experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach aches, seek immediate medical attention at the