Bad puto blamed for poisoning of 133 Rizal pupils

White rice cakes popularly known as puto that has gone bad was the cause of the massive food poisoning that sent 133 students and one teacher of four public schools to the hospital in Rizal province on June 10, right on the opening of classes last week.

Dr. Thelma Santos, director of the Department of Educa­tion’s Health and Nutrition Center, said that an investigation conducted on the case found that a local couple that supplies foodstuffs at the Cupang, Mambugan, Pantay and Yapak Elementary Schools, all in Rizal, were the makers of the puto consumed by the downed students and teacher which sent them to the hospital.

It was learned that the ricecakes had been made several hours before they were sold in the schools and eaten by the victims.

It was found that the ricecakes had not been properly packed causing them to spoil rapidly in their packs.

Santos said that the couple, surnamed Hilario, as well as the principals of the four schools said schools are now being probed for their liability on the incident.

The 134 food poisoning victims were brought to the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Medical Center and the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. All have been discharged after getting treatment.

The incident has caused the DepEd to reissue a memorandum order to all school heads directing them to ensure sanitary conditions in school canteens especially on food handling.  – Rainier Allan Ronda