MANILA: At least 1,925 people — most of them children — have fallen ill in the Philippines after eating candies said to be intentionally poisoned, according to numerous reports.
At least 66 people are currently hospitalized.
Scores of children have experienced diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting after eating the fruit-flavored candies, which were reportedly sold by vendors outside of schools.
Health authorities in the country are still working to determine whether the poisoning is intentional or accidental. They say test results won’t be ready until Wednesday to determine whether the illnesses are caused by a foodborne bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella, or something else entirely.
The candies were produced by Wendy’s Delicious Durian Candy. The company owner has been taken into custody as part of the investigation, and police have arrested nine vendors who sold the poisoned treats.
In some cases, the candies seem to have been “repackaged” by vendors after being produced by the company. Authorities are investigating whether or not this repackaging has any connection to the illnesses.
According to health officials, the candies lack any expiration dates or nutritional facts on the labeling. Numerous foodborne illness outbreaks in the Philippines have been blamed on poor food safety standards and lack of enforcement.
The illnesses have all occurred in Mindanao, the country’s southern-most large island. Candies associated with the illnesses came in mango, durian, and mangosteen flavors.
