Benguet police identify makers of stale candy, snacks

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Authorities identified the manufacturers of candies and snack items believed to have downed over a hundred elementary students in Mankayan last week. Included in the list released by the Mankayan Municipal Police Office are Chinese and Indonesian manufacturers. Two pupils were brought back to the municipal clinic Wednesday and were given intravenous fluids, said Councilor Willy Mendoza. The local government is still awaiting results of the tests conducted on the samples sent to the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD). The names of the manufactures were copied from the wrappers of the snack items found dumped under the Tabbac Bridge in Barangay Sapid. Last week, 115 pupils from the Palatong Elementary School were rushed to the hospital and Municipal Health Office, after complaining of stomachaches, dizziness, and nausea after reportedly eating food items they found under the bridge. Among the identified manufacturers were LOI-LOI--manufacturer of powdered candies and lollipops, Kuoshen Sweets Corporation, Altech Packaging Corp., Regent Food Corp, Malabon Candy co. Inc., Standard Food Industries, and Yinhai Food Corp (from Shantou, Guandong, China). All are candy manufacturers. Colombia International Food Products and NORITTS Corp., on the other hand, were the makers of the chewing gum products. Two wafer manufacturers - Regent Food Corp. and Pure Snack Food House - were also among the companies named. For the junk foods, listed were Pure Snack Food Corporation, Prifood Corporation, AYA Manufacturing, AYA Food Manufacturing, ASY Food Corporation, Kulit Snack Food Co., Liwayway Food Corp., Intercor Food Products, and Jovi's Food Products. However, authorities have still to identify the persons responsible for leaving the candies and snack items under the bridge. Mendoza said the municipal clinic is continuously monitoring the affected pupils, and police are investigating the matter. - Sun.Star Baguio