Durian candy triggers abdominal pain, nausea among pupils

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Fortyfour pupils of Kidapawan CentralPilot Elementary School (KCPES) were rushed to the city hospital complaining ofstomach pain and nausea several minutes after consuming durian candy they bought from an ambulant vendor on Thursday morning. Most of the school children belonged to Grade 5 and Grade 6 levels, according to a school adviser who refused to be named. Dr. Gerry Reyes, Kidapawan City Hospital resident physician, admitted to reporters the children were rushed to the hospital due to abdominal pain and vomiting. He said the children were suspicious the cause of their ailments was the durian candy. Though the effect was very mild among the children, we consider it as food poisoning becausesince the symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea were there,” Reyes said. He said not one among the children has severe or were in serious condition. In fact, they were allowed to go home after receiving medical attention. One patient vomitted with blood stain but nothing to worry since we were able to give him medicine,” Reyes said. One of the victims,Rhea, (note her real name), a grader,said she bought two packs of durian candy containing 20 pieces each from a vendor inside the school campus. It’s cheap that is why I was convinced to buy), Rhea said. Upon consuming two pieces, she felt trouble in her abdomen. Bitter and it appeared to have strange taste and a bit hardso I decided to share it with my classmates, she recalled, thanking all the children are safe now. I learned a lesseon, I will no longer patronize food from transient vendors, she said. School officials said investigation was on going. To be probed is the school guard who apparently allowed ambulant vendors to penetrate school premises. Based on the product label, the durian candy was manufactured in Davao City Blk 10 Lot 15, Purok 25, A.A Peoples Village, Davao City with contact numbers 09392401125. Contacted, a lady admitted they manufacture andsell durian candy but repacked at 100 pieces per pack and not 20s.