100 students hospitalized after drinking DepEd rationed milk

Around 100 students in the town of Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental were hospitalized after drinking fresh milk rationed from the Department of Education (DepEd), according to a report in "State on the Nation" on Friday.

Based on the initial police investigation, the municipality's district supervisor said the victims vomited and some were rushed to the hospital hours after consuming the drink from the Negros Oriental School Division Office.

This is not the first time that the Education department supplied milk for the children. So the parents believed the supply would be safe to drink.

No deaths were reported from the incident.

Investigation

The DepEd on Saturday said it is investigating the incident.

"The Department of Education (DepEd) is investigating suspected food-borne illnesses involving elementary students in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, due to alleged contaminated milk distributed in schools in the area under the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP)," DepEd said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The department said it has coordinated with the local government unit of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, as well as the National Dairy Authority, and concerned agencies for the investigation and analysis of milk samples.

The DepEd said it "has facilitated the provision of immediate medical assistance to affected individuals and will continue to monitor their health status."

"DepEd, through the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division and concerned field offices, is committed to continue assisting the learners and their families. We will likewise look into possible actions against those responsible entities or individuals," the department said.

"The health and safety of our learners remain the utmost priority of the Department, and we will ensure that measures will be instituted to prevent occurrence of similar incidents," it added. —Sundy Locus/BAP/KG, GMA News