BACOLOD CITY - Twenty-two pupils from Bubog Elementary School in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, fell ill after consuming expired chocolates and chips on Wednesday morning, March 26.
Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson for the Department of Education (DepEd)-Negros Occidental, confirmed that 15 Grade 5 pupils initially experienced stomachache and seven others, including two Grade 3 pupils, and five Grade 4 pupils, also manifested the same symptom later.
They were promptly taken to the City Health Office (CHO) and treated and sent home.
Initial school investigation said one student brought chocolates and chips to school and sold them to classmates. These products were allegedly distributed to a community outside the school a day before the incident.
Arnaez said that the expired food may have been mixed with edible products, a possible reason why pupils who ate the same did not show symptoms.
These were believed to have come from a food warehouse in Manila where a family member of one of the pupils. These were also allegedly intended to feed worms, according to Arnaez.
Arnaez said that they have a policy limiting food purchases to the canteen to avoid contaminated food from external sources.
However, teachers have no control over the food that pupils bring from home and trust that they are prepared by their parents.
Arnaez urged parents to watch their children closely and consult the CHO for any symptoms.