2 children die from food poisoning in Tuguegarao

MANILA, Philippines – Two persons died from suspected food poisoning at the Larion Bajo Elementary School in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Tuesday, a spokesman of the Philippine National Police said.

Eloisa Ballad and Jesica May Bangayan, both five years old, died while undergoing medication at Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.

Forty-one students between five and seven years old and three teachers are still in the hospital.

Police Officer 3 Denis Mabborang of Tuguegarao City said that miki noodles sold in the school canteen were prepared by Nikolasa Fresado, a health education teacher.

The victims started vomiting shortly after eating the noodles, said Maborang.

He said that Fresado put three spoons of crystal substance she believed to be iodized salt while preparing the noodles.

He added that the white crystal substance, which was submitted for testing at the Department of Health, turned out to be oxalic, a substance in bleaching solutions.