THE Department of Health (DOH) is looking at possible chemical contamination as the cause of the food poisoning of some 2,000 school children in Caraga. In earlier tests on durian-flavored candy samples consumed by school children in Caraga, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the presence of “staphyloccus aureus” bacteria. The candies tested were made by a manufacturer called Wendy’s. The results of the tests matched all the manifested symptoms experienced by the 10- to 14 year-old school children who purchased and ate them last week in several towns in Surigao del Sur. The DOH said it could have been pesticide. Health Secretary Janette Garin said, “All other tests are on-going. The FDA did not just focus on the presence of the bacteria. They also looked into the presence of other possible chemicals…We are also looking into the aspect of contamination of pesticides…We are waiting for that result,” said Garin. “We initially focused on the samples of durian candies (manufactured by Wendy’s) because that is the one which majority of the patients had consumed,” said Ma. Lourdes Santiago, FDA deputy director general. Garin said bacterial contamination is also a possible cause. She said bacterial contamination can happen through the improper handling, preparing and repacking of the food. (pna)