SEVERAL elementary students in Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental suffered food poisoning reportedly caused by contaminated milk distributed in schools under the school-based feeding program of the Department of Education.

An initial report said that several students in Barangay Nagbinlod and Barangay Alangilan were rushed to the Bayawan City District Hospital after they vomited.

Negros Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Senen Paulin said 42 students were admitted to the hospital after showing signs of dehydration while 25 students had mild symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. The report also added that 36 were immediately discharged  after getting treatment on Thursday evening.

The official said that a fact-finding team will further investigate the incident.

The Philippine National Police in Sta. Catalina said that the milk bottles distributed to the students had no label or any information regarding the supplier.

The DepEd and the Department of Agriculture aim to provide fresh milk to some 3.3 million students in more than 34,000 public schools nationwide this year.