A fact-finding committee was created by Guimaras State University (GSU) after over 200 students were rushed to the hospital for suspected food poisoning in Buenavista town.

The students exhibited signs of food poisoning such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, among others, after eating food prepared by an independent caterer for a school event on November 15, 2024.

Personnel of the state university, rural health unit, and Buenavista Police Station comprise the fact-finding commmittee. Investigation kicked off on November 18, 2024.

The main objective of the committee is to confirm an incident of food poisoning and to determine the real cause. This is because while the affected students mentioned of eating spaghetti, there were others who did not partake of the said food item but exhibited similar symptoms.

The other students consumed bread reportedly.

In the latest official statement that Guimaras State University issued on its social media page, the number of patients rose to 372.

Police also confirmed that aside from students, there were members of the faculty and other staff members of the university, as well as relatives of students, who had eaten food from the event. 

Earlier, it was reported that because the food packs reached over 1,000 pieces and only about 500 participated in the event, over 300 food packs were given to other students who asked reportedly for the extra food as they were also on a separate event on the same day.

Extra food packs were taken by some students home, the report added.

“Hindi lang estudyante ng GSU ang nakaramdam kundi ang mga nagdala ng pagkain pauwi, ang mga nakakain nilang kaanak nakaramdam rin,” Captain Rene Mercado, officer in charge of the Buenavista Municipal Police Station, said.

As of posting time, 19 persons are still admitted at the hospital while 117 are under observation.

To avoid a similar incident, the school administration will take a more stringent policy on food catering.

Guimaras State University emphasized accreditation of food caterers.

“We will not allow the same method ng catering sa campus, so we will do the accreditation system wherein may mga ano sila, kumpleto sila (sa dokumento) and furnished para may accountability. If possible, I will not allow them to serve pasta,” Dr. Lilian Diana Parreño, university president, stated.

The Department of Health 6 also investigated the incident beginning on November 18, 2024, to collect further information.