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

COTABATO CITY—Fifty-seven students suffered signs of food poisoning after they consumed deep-fried squash patties sold outside their school in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, on Thursday, the police said on Friday.

The incident was the latest in the series of food poisoning incidents reported around the country, which involved food items sold by ambulant vendors.

Senior Insp. Eisbo Llamanzares, Esperanza police chief, said the 57 grades 4, 5 and 6 pupils of the Ala Elementary School complained of severe stomach pain and bowel disorders after eating the squash patties they had bought from a store.

“It could be food poisoning because they complained of abdominal pain and vomiting, these are indicators of food poisoning,” Llamanzares said, adding that samples of food had been sent to the provincial health office for tests.

Most of the victims, who were rushed to various hospitals, had recovered but some remained under medication, he said.

Llamanzares said it was the first time that an incident involving squash patties—locally known as okoy—had been reported. The food is regularly sold in many eateries outside the school because it is popular among pupils.