News Article 3

83 pupils down with food poisoning after drinking free milk

 

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

MUAR: Eighty-three pupils of SK Parit Setongkat here suffered from food poisoning after they drank milk supplied under the free milk scheme.

The students, from Year One to Year Six, started to vomit and purge 30 minutes after they consumed the milk during recess at about 10am Thursday.

The school's authorities, who did not allow the media to enter the school compound, alerted the Health Department, which rushed teams to the school.

Although about 950 pupils consumed the supplied milk, only 83 suffered food poisoning and were given the necessary treatment by the Health Department teams.

A check at the school showed works were being carried out to clean the canteen and some workers were seen disposing the remaining milk supply.

One of the pupils said he began to have stomach pain about 30 minutes after he drank the milk, forcing to run to the toilet.

"I vomited three times when I was in the toilet and purged twice.

"After I returned to my class, several friends also suffered similar pain and my teacher quickly took us to another room," he said when met at his house near Jalan Salleh.

According to the boy, all affected pupils were given jabs and medication, and remained in school until 1.20pm.

Meanwhile, state Women, Family, Health and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai said food poisoning in schools should be resolved fast.

She said although none of the pupils in SK Parit Setongkat was sent to the hospital, the matter was serious as it involved school children.

"We want the Health Department and those involved in supplying food at all schools, including canteen operators, to ensure all food is fresh and clean," she added.

Reference 
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/27/nation/20120927195857&sec=nation

Summary 

83 students of SK Parit Setongkat, from Year One to Year Six, suffered from food poisoning after they drank milk supplied under the free milk scheme. They vomit and purge 30 minutes after they consumed the milk. Health Department rushed to the school , gave necessary treatment to the 83 students .

Opinion
Milks that are under free milk schemes should check properly before it sent to schools for the students to drink it. Expiry date may be one of the factor. Health Department should investigate the issue and submit the report because the health of the students are important.