In 2 weeks, PH has 1,400 victims of food poisoning

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MANILA – Food poisoning has become an alarming issue in the country as more than 1,400 people, most of them students, have been rushed to hospitals after consuming contaminated food in the past two weeks.

Earlier this month, 50 students from the Guelew Elementary School in Pangasinan experienced stomach aches after chewing gums bought from a store near the school.

Last Thursday, 15 students from the Central Dualing Elementary School in North Cotabatao also complained of stomach pains after eating siopao from the school canteen.

Also last Thursday, a couple was found dead at a parking lot; their death was later on traced to the ‘ingestion of a toxic substance.’

Last Friday, 1,300 people, mostly students, in Caraga experienced vomiting and were rushed to the nearest hospital after eating durian and mangosteen candies.

On Monday, 8 people in Iloilo felt weak and experienced loose bowel movements after consuming homemade ube cake bought from a student from the Pakiad Elementary School.

And today, 40 students from the Juan Sumulong High School in Quezon City also felt weak and experienced stomach aches after eating macapuno candy given by fellow students.

Due to the increasing number of food poisoning victims, the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health reminded the public to be more cautious of their food and drinks. They also advised everyone to check the expiration dates of food before consumption and to buy food only from licensed manufacturers.