From candies to cake: Food poisoning downs at least 1,500 in 2 weeks

These are the durian candies that allegedly took ill at least 40 pupils of Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary School in Kidapawan City on July 9. The candy, according to its information sheet, is made in Davao City. WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA/INQUIRER MINDANAO

The recent spate of food poisoning across the country has downed at least 1,500 people, majority of which were students, in just a span of two weeks.

The latest in this disturbing series of poisoning incidents was the case of 57 students in Sultan Kudarat who complained of severe stomach pains and bowel movements on Thursday after eating deep-fried squash patties or “okoy.”

• 57 students fall ill after eating ‘okoy’ in Sultan Kudarat—police

Early this month, at least 50 students of Guelew Elementary School in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, complained of stomach pains and were rushed to the hospital after chewing gums they bought from a nearby store.

• 50 Pangasinan studes taken to hospital; poisoning eyed

On July 10, more than 1,300 people in the Caraga region, mostly students as well, experienced vomiting and abdominal cramps a few hours after consuming durian- and mangosteen-flavored candies.

At least 12 people who reportedly sold the durian candies had been arrested by authorities, while the alleged manufacturer was ordered suspended by the Davao City government after finding out that it was not licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA on Thursday said the poisonous candies were contaminated with staphylococcus bacteria.

• Poisonous durian candy: 1,350 sick, 12 arrested

In North Cotabato, 15 students of Central Dualing Elementary School were hospitalized after eating siopao from the school canteen during their recess on July 9.

The physician said the students suffered acute gastritis.

• Siopao downs 15 kids in North Cotabato

A homemade ube (purple yam) cake sold by a mother of one student of Pakiad Elementary School also downed seven children and a mother in Oton town in Iloilo on Monday.

According to police investigation, the victims experienced loose bowel movement, weakness and vomiting after eating the cake.

• Food poisoning again? Ma, 7 kids hospitalized after eating ube cake

In Sultan Kudarat, 13 college students and a teacher of the province’s state university were hospitalized after eating pastil that they bought from another student on campus.

Pastil is a Maguindanaoan dish made of steamed rice topped with chicken adobo flakes and wrapped in banana leaves.

• ‘Pastil’ downs 14 in Sultan Kudarat

Eight students of Juan Sumulong High School in Quezon City on Thursday were admitted to the intensive care unit of Quirino Memorial Medical Center after eating free macapuno candy samples distributed by men who disguised as students.

• Macapuno candies down 8 students in Quezon City

In Las Piñas, the death of a couple who were found dying at a mall car park on July 9 was also initially traced to food poisoning. Initial findings of the scene of the crime operatives showed that “shock, secondary to ingestion of toxic substance” was the cause of death.

• Couples’ death probed thru food bills

In an earlier advisory, FDA and the Department of Health have advised the public to be more cautious of what they eat, stressing the importance of checking expiry dates.