School milk to be replaced with juice

posted on: Mar 10 2010 12:28 by Royston. Viewed 408 times.


The Ministry of Education has confirmed that there are currently 4 cases of possible milk poisoning under investigation, although the recent case in Maimon of 40 pupils becoming sick showed no contamination in the milk.

However, the Education Minister, Melanio Paredes ordered that the chocolate-flavored milk supplied by Dominican Dairies (Ladomir) be replaced by juice to prevent any recurrence while results are awaited of tests being carried out abroad.

Minister Paredes also decided to strengthen procedures for monitoring hygiene and quality in food distribution sites.

According to an official statement yesterday, 111 samples of milk from the school breakfasts were analyzed in three different laboratories and three were found to have bacteria at concentrations of 1,000 per gram. According to Deputy Health Minister, Nelson Rodriguez, there must be about 100 thousand bacteria per gram to produce gastrointestinal problems.

Paredes said that as chocolate milk from Ladomir had caused at least four cases of poisoning in February and March, he was replacing that product with juice. However, he clarified that products from Paramalat and Rica had also been sent for analysis.

Between February and March there have been reports of over 50 cases of  possible food poisoning in schools. The latest occurred Monday at  Apolinar Perdomo school, in Tamayo, Baroruco province, where 11 children were apparently affected  by milk from Ladomir. The results of tests will be known in seven days.
 

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