Fried chicken, spaghetti down 21 in Batangas

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines  – Twenty-one students of the Batangas State University (BSU) in this city were hospitalized after eating fried chicken and spaghetti served during a gathering on Saturday.

The students of the College of Accountancy, Business, Economics and International Hospitality Management suffered dizziness, stomach pain and vomiting after eating the food bought from a fastfood restaurant, according to Chief Inspector Arnold Formento, deputy chief of the city police.

Formento said the students were attending an acquaintance program at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

They were rushed to the Batangas Medical Center, St. Patrick Hospital, St. Camilius Hospital and Golden Gate General Hospital, where they were found to be suffering from gastroenteritis and dehydration.

No one was listed in critical condition while some were immediately discharged after receiving treatment.

BSU president Tirso Ronquillo said school officials have yet to decide whether charges would be filed against the food company.

“Our insurance company will shoulder the medical expenses of the students,” Ronquillo said.

Police said school officials submitted food samples to the Food and Drug Administration to determine the cause of the incident.