THE Department of Education (DepEd) is investigating what happened at Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental on Friday, May 20, 2022, wherein close to 100 students of a public school there were hospitalized after consuming contaminated milk.
In a statement, DepEd officials said the alleged contaminated milk were distributed in a school under the department’s School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).
The SBFP was established by DepEd to address hunger and encourage learners to enroll and contribute to the improvement of their nutritional status, as mandated by Republic Act 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.
“DepEd has coordinated with the involved local government unit, the National Dairy Authority, and concerned agencies for the analysis of milk samples and the investigation of the incident. Based on the field report, majority of the affected learners experienced mild illnesses, including dehydration and nausea. They were treated in nearby hospitals and were discharged later on,” the DepEd said.
The DepEd has also facilitated the provision of immediate medical assistance to the affected school children and vowed to continue monitoring their health status.
“DepEd, through the Bureau of Leaner 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,” they added.
On Friday, May 20, close to 100 kids were brought to hospitals in Sta. Catalina town and Bayawan City after suffering symptoms of food poisoning after they drank contaminated milk.
Health officials from Negros Oriental were quoted in a SunStar Superbalita report that the children suffered mild to moderate dehydration after drinking the tainted milk. (JKV, BBT)