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110 pupils in Pangasinan hospitalized for eating 'expired' chewing gum

SAN CARLOS CITY, July 2 (PNA) -- A total of 110 grade school children from the Guelew Integrated School here were rushed to the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH) in Barangay Bolingit, San Carlos City after suffering stomach pain, vomiting and dizziness shortly after eating Menthos chewing gum which they bought from a store in front of their school early today, Thursday.

Dr. Policarpio Manuel, PPH director, said the pupils with their parents and teachers arrived on board three or four jeepneys and several tricycles starting at 10:00 a.m. and were immediately brought to the pediatric wards where they were given intravenous fluid or dextrose.

Manuel said only intravenous fluid was given to the victims yet as the patients were placed under observation for at least 24 hours and if they will suffer loose vowel movements afterwards, they will be given medicines.

He said they already called their toxicologist who specializes in treating food poisoning cases but added that there is nothing to worry about as the children are in stable condition.

"What we are anticipating is that the children will suffer loose bowel movement. But none of them showed that kind of condition yet," he added.

Manuel said the Menthos chewing gum with the label "3D" was the one the pupils had bought and eaten which allegedly caused them to suffer stomach pain, dizziness and caused them to vomit.

He said this will be referred right away to the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) of the Department of Health (DOH).

His worry, however, is the number of victims might still increase as the Menthos chewing gum was believed also sold in other stores in San Carlos City.

A teacher told the PNA that the expiration date of the said chewing gum was deliberately removed from the label, which could mean that the product had long expired.

He said they went to see the owner of the store from where the pupils bought the Menthos chewing gum and learned that he bought the same from a store in Urbiztondo, adding that when he went to see that store, it was already closed.

Manuel said if some more victims will be brought in, they may be compelled to open their gymnasium as an extension of the ward to be able to attend to all. (PNA)

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