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Food poisoning kills 2 pupils, downs 42 in Cagayan


Two students died while 42 others were hospitalized after eating noodles mistakenly cooked with what authorities suspect to be oxalic acid in Cagayan province Tuesday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the incident occurred at 8:45 a.m. at Larion Bajo Elementary School in Tuguegarao City. "Forty-one pupils and three teachers were rushed to the different hospitals in Tuguegarao City. Two of the 41, identified as Eloisa Marie Ballad, 5, and Jessica May Bangayan, 5 died while undergoing treatment at Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Carig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan," the NDRRMC said in its report. Police said their initial investigation showed the victims ate noodles cooked and sold by one Mrs. Nicolasa Fresado. Tuguegarao police said their initial investigation also showed a white crystalline substance placed in a plastic jar believed to be oxalic acid.


Investigators said the oxalic acid may have been "mistakenly used as ingredient/condiments at the Home Economics Kitchen" of the school. A sample of the oxalic acid was brought to the Philippine National Police Regional Office 2 Crime Laboratory for investigation. Oxalic acid is naturally found in some foods and combines with metals such as calcium in the body to form oxalate crystals which can irritate the gut and kidneys. The most common kind of kidney stone is made of calcium oxalate, according to the website Juicing Book. "Healthy individuals can safely consume such foods in moderation, but those with kidney disorders, gout, osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis are typically advised to avoid foods high in oxalic acid or oxalates," it said. It is also used in bleaches, some anti-rust products, and some metal cleaners, according to the OxalicAcidInfo site. — KBK, GMA News
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