• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Twenty-one learners of Bubog Elementary School in Talisay City, Negros Occidental were rushed to a medical facility after exhibiting signs and symptoms of suspected food poisoning on Wednesday, March 26.
The patients, 15 of them in Grade 5, four in Grade 4, and two in Grade 3, suffered acute abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting after eating expired imported chocolate bars.
Dr. Joey Villarosa, medical officer of the Negros Occidental Provincial Schools Division, said they have yet to establish whether the chocolate bars, which were brought by a learner, were just distributed or sold to other students.
It was found that the chocolate bars, with Arabic markings on the packaging, have an expiration date of Sept. 17, 2024.
Villarosa said what happened was an “isolated incident”, noting that it was the first to happen in his 15 years of service with the Department of Education (DepEd) in Negros Occidental.
Based on the DepEd policy, outside food are being prohibited to be sold inside the school premises, except those at the school canteen.
In the same DepEd memorandum order, carbonated and high sugar content drinks are also being prohibited to be sold in the school canteen, and that sealed food should have the Sangkap Pinoy seal.
Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson of DepEd Negros Occidental Provincial Schools Division, said the 21 learners were later discharged with prescriptions from the City Health Office. | GB
