Enhanced food safety measures are being undertaken at state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) after 59 students and 12 teachers of the College of Computing and Information Sciences suffered from food poisoning during the weekend.
Herdy Yumul, director of the strategic communication office of MMSU, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday the victims experienced stomach ache, vomiting, and loose bowel movement after eating chicken afritada (tomato-based stew) and string beans adobo (soy sauce and vinegar-based) they ordered from outside the school.
He said the group came from a practice for the University Games, slated Nov. 11 to 15.
MMSU said it is “deeply concerned” about the incident.
“The safety and well-being of our university community are of utmost priority, and we are taking this matter very seriously,” it said on a Facebook post Tuesday.
It clarified that the university’s food service and auxiliary concessionaires were not in any way involved in the incident.
In addition to providing necessary support to the affected students and their families, MMSU assured that the pending academic requirements of the affected students will be taken into consideration during their recovery.
Food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria and improper handling, like undercooking.