Twenty-one elementary pupils from a public school in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, suffered from “acute food poisoning” that was believed to have been caused by expired imported chocolates at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 26.
The pupils from the Bubog Elementary School suffered from acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and were brought to the Talisay City Health Office, Dr. Joey Villarosa, Negros Occidental Schools Division medical officer, said.
They are still investigating if the pupil who was the source of the chocolates gave them out or sold them, Villarosa said.
They were reportedly brought by the child’s parent from Manila.
Unopened chocolate bars found in the child’s bag had Sept. 17, 2024 as their expiration dates, Villarosa said.
The teachers sought the help of the Barangay Bubog officials who transported the pupils to the CHO in the barangay ambulance, Ian Arnold Arnaez, Negros Occidental Schools Division spokesperson, said.
Of the affected students, two are in Grade 3, four in Grade 4 and 15 in Grade 5, he said.
They were released from the CHO after being given prescriptions, Arnaez said.
Villarosa said food is only allowed to be sold at the school canteen, and sealed food items must have the Sangkap Pinoy seal.
If the child sold chocolates in the school, it was illegal because it was done without the knowledge of the adviser, school head and school canteen operator, Villarosa said.*