03.dec.06
Global Nation - Philippines
Chito A. Fuentes
http://globalnation.inq7.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=36154
TAGBILARAN CITY -- Thirty-one schoolchildren in Bien Unido town, 123 kilometers from here, were rushed to a hospital Thursday morning when they complained of stomachaches after eating polvoron, a delicacy made from flour, sugar and margarine.
The victims, all pupils at the Nueva Estrella Elementary School, reportedly bought the polvoron from Domingo Mabatuan, 22.
Just a few moments after eating the polvoron, some of the children started complaining of stomachaches while others started vomiting.
Alarmed teachers immediately brought the pupils to the Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in neighboring Talibon town.
According to Dr. Harold Gallego, GMPH chief, only one of the children was admitted but was released on Friday.
The rest were allowed to go home because the poisoning was not serious.
In a text message, Gallego said the children complained of abdominal pains but only three or four actually vomited.
He said a team from the Provincial Health Office took samples of the polvoron for analysis.