INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army on Monday said a total of 100 people experienced suspected food poisoning symptoms after eating “ginataan” served by the Army in an event in Sulu over the weekend.
The Army said it served “ginataan” as snacks to the attendees of the 35th Joint Boys Scout and Girls Scout of the Philippines Institutional Camp at Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak in Indanan town, Sulu on Saturday.
“[There are] 78 students and 22 adults … experienced nausea, stomach ache, and fainting after consuming the prepared food,” the Army said in a statement.
Army said all 100 patients were immediately brought to the Sulu Sanitarium and General Hospital, Integrated Provincial Health Office, and Camp Bautista Station Hospital for proper medical attention.
Ginataan is a sweet Filipino treat with sticky rice balls and coconut milk.
As of Monday, 88 patients were already discharged, while 12 remain in the Sulu general hospital.
“The remaining patients are in stable condition and will be under observation but expected to be discharged within the day,” the Army said.
The Army sent food samples to the Integrated Provincial Health Office on February 25 for immediate examination. Still, the office also intends to send the food samples to Zamboanga City for further tests.
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