By JEN BAYLON

Twenty-one elementary students from Barangay Bubog in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City experienced food poisoning after consuming expired chocolate yesterday morning.

Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd) – Division of Negros Occidental, said the incident occurred around 8:00 a.m.

Fifteen Grade 5 pupils, three Grade 4 pupils and two Grade 3 pupils complained of stomach pain and vomiting.

They were rushed to the Talisay City Health Office, and their condition has stabilized.

“The symptoms shown were vomiting, but after treatment, the symptoms subsided, and no further issues were observed,” Arnaez said.

Initial investigations revealed that a student brought the expired chocolate bars, believed to be imported, which were consumed by the affected children.

“The parent had brought the chocolates as a gift from Manila, and instructed the child to sell them there,” he added.

Upon inspection, the unopened chocolate bars were found to have expired, with a listed expiry date of September 17, 2024.

Further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, Dr. Joey Villarosa, medical officer of the DepEd – Negros Occidental Provincial Schools Division, emphasized that the department has a policy regulating the sale of food in schools, requiring that food items be purchased only from school canteens.

The policy also prohibits the sale of carbonated and high-sugar beverages and mandates that sealed food products must bear the Sangkap Pinoy seal./JB, WDJ