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QC high school students land in ICU after eating macapuno candies
(UPDATED 11:40 p.m.) Nine high school students were brought to a Quezon City hospital for stomach pains and nausea after eating macapuno candy sold by an ambulant vendor reportedly right inside the campus.
Six of the victims from Juan Sumulong National High School had to be confined at the pediatric intensive care unit of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. The three others are at the pediatrics ward.
Dr. Jojo Mercado said the patients, whose ages ranged from 12 to 16, started arriving at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
The victims went through blood and urine tests while those under intensive care were connected to cardiac monitors.
A man allegedly went inside the campus on Thursday morning and sold the candies to the Grade 7 students.
He said he needed money to fund his schooling. Many students were moved by his story and bought his products.
"Bumili nalang po kami kasi po naaawa po kami sa lalaki," a female student said.
The students, however, felt dizzy 30 minutes after eating the sweets.
"Nanginginig po ang katawan ko. Tapos ang sakit po ng ulo at tiyan ko po," another victim told GMA News.
QMMC has already secured samples of the macapuno candies for testing at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Meron pong sintomas talaga ng sa tingin namin nagko-consider kami ng food poisoning," QMMC Department of Pediatrics chief Dr. Aileen Membrere said.
The parents of the victims, however, reminded the school not to allow strangers inside the campus.
"Bantayan pong mabuti iyong nakakapasok na hindi estudyante," a mother said.
According to the packaging, the macapuno candies were from Kaykenmark Sweets, which is based in Calauan, Laguna.
Staphylococcus bacteria contamination
Last July 10, around 2,000 students in various schools in Surigao del Sur were downed after eating durian and mangosteen candies.
The vendors who allegedly sold the tainted durian candies will be charged with violation of the Food Safety Act, Consumer Act, and Physical Injuries in relation to the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
Also on Thursday, 15 people including 13 students were hospitalized after eating a local dish pastil in Sultan Kudarat.
On Wednesday, seven people in Iloilo were taken to the hospital after eating "jelly roll" bread.
On the same day, 16 students in North Cotabato were brought to the hospital after eating siopao brought from the school canteen. -Victoria Tulad and Trisha Macas/NB/ELR, GMA News
Six of the victims from Juan Sumulong National High School had to be confined at the pediatric intensive care unit of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. The three others are at the pediatrics ward.
He said those confined at the ICU were brought there because of slow heartbeat and intense fatigue.
"May iba bumabagal ang tibok ng puso.... As of now we cannot totally rule out pa the possible cause of the poisoning from the macapuno candy.... Lahat sila yung all nine cases that we saw is all of them had an intake of the macapuno candy," Mercado said.
"We really have to make it sure that we ate going to take or going to eat was properly prepared. Dapat ay may label, with expiration dates.... And proper packing, repacking or packing of the product," he added.
"May iba bumabagal ang tibok ng puso.... As of now we cannot totally rule out pa the possible cause of the poisoning from the macapuno candy.... Lahat sila yung all nine cases that we saw is all of them had an intake of the macapuno candy," Mercado said.
"We really have to make it sure that we ate going to take or going to eat was properly prepared. Dapat ay may label, with expiration dates.... And proper packing, repacking or packing of the product," he added.
The victims went through blood and urine tests while those under intensive care were connected to cardiac monitors.
A man allegedly went inside the campus on Thursday morning and sold the candies to the Grade 7 students.
He said he needed money to fund his schooling. Many students were moved by his story and bought his products.
"Bumili nalang po kami kasi po naaawa po kami sa lalaki," a female student said.
The students, however, felt dizzy 30 minutes after eating the sweets.
"Nanginginig po ang katawan ko. Tapos ang sakit po ng ulo at tiyan ko po," another victim told GMA News.
QMMC has already secured samples of the macapuno candies for testing at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Meron pong sintomas talaga ng sa tingin namin nagko-consider kami ng food poisoning," QMMC Department of Pediatrics chief Dr. Aileen Membrere said.
The parents of the victims, however, reminded the school not to allow strangers inside the campus.
"Bantayan pong mabuti iyong nakakapasok na hindi estudyante," a mother said.
According to the packaging, the macapuno candies were from Kaykenmark Sweets, which is based in Calauan, Laguna.
Staphylococcus bacteria contamination
Last July 10, around 2,000 students in various schools in Surigao del Sur were downed after eating durian and mangosteen candies.
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday said the candies that downed nearly 2,000 people, including children, tested positive for the bacteria staphylococcus aureus.
Maria Lourdes Santiago, acting deputy general director of the FDA, said the symptoms manifested by the patients confirm that the staph bacteria was the cause of the poisoning outbreak.
The FDA has issued a public health advisory warning consumers against purchasing the "Wendy's" brand durian candies.
Hygiene 'often overlooked'
The vendors who allegedly sold the tainted durian candies will be charged with violation of the Food Safety Act, Consumer Act, and Physical Injuries in relation to the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
Health Secretary Janette Garin said "these backyard industries are not regulated by the FDA." she said. "The bottom line is, hygiene is often overlooked."
"The public is also warned against unscrupulous selling and distribution of unregistered food items from unlicensed establishments. Consumers must always check products before purchasing that these should be safe, of good quality and within their shelf life," the FDA advisory said.
Garin said the staph bacteria is commonly found on the skin.
"Sa staphylococcus, depende din sa balat ng tao, singit, o baka nagpunta sa banyo tapos na-contaminate. Bottom line, baka nakakalimutan ng tao pero if we are in food production, hygiene is very important dahil nakasalalay sayo ang nagco-consume ng produkto mo," she said.
Garin said the DOH is still conducting other tests, including the possible contamination from pesticides.
"Ongoing lahat ng tests. 'Di lang siya nag-focus sa bacteria. Tiningnan na din ang contents," she added.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, "staphylococcus can cause food poisoning when a food handler contaminates food and then the food is not properly refrigerated. Other sources of food contamination include the equipment and surfaces on which food is prepared." It said the bacteria is killed by cooking and by pasteurization.
Other recent incidents
Also on Thursday, 15 people including 13 students were hospitalized after eating a local dish pastil in Sultan Kudarat.
On Wednesday, seven people in Iloilo were taken to the hospital after eating "jelly roll" bread.
On the same day, 16 students in North Cotabato were brought to the hospital after eating siopao brought from the school canteen. -Victoria Tulad and Trisha Macas/NB/ELR, GMA News
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