QCPD cautions public against eating candies, other home-made products

QCPD Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao (Screenshot from ‘Get It Straight’ interview)

MANILA — Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Police Chief Supt. Joel D. Pagdilao on Saturday urged the public to take extra precaution in buying locally-made food products such as candies and other sweets following report of food poisoning incidence in Quezon City on Thursday.

Pagdilao aired this as he ordered an extensive investigation on the cause of food poisoning of nine high school students of Juan Sumulong High School in Cubao, Quezon City, who ate flavored candies.

He said that the public, especially parents and students should be aware of some things to consider in order to avoid being victims of food poisoning.

“They should always check whether the product is approved by [the] Food and Drugs Administration. Also see if it already expired. [If it] does not bear any labels of expiration [or] other useful information, they [should] no longer buy it,” Pagdilao said.

Initial report showed that the nine students, who were taken to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center, complained of severe stomachache after eating tamarind candies, macapuno, pastillas, and yema, which they bought from a suspect who is yet to be identified. They are now still under observation at the hospital.

Report further showed that the suspect, who was described between 20 to 25 years old, clad in white t-shirt and maong pants, medium build, fair complexion and approximately 6 feet in height entered the school premises located along 18th Avenue in Cubao at around 8:45 a.m. on July 16 and sold his products to the students.

Police recovered candy wrappers labelled with Kayken Mark Sweets Special mCandies of 61 Balayhangin, Calauan, Laguna.