The results communicated by the Modena Local Health Authority after the many cases in primary schools in Emilia Roamgna: 132 children and 7 teachers felt ill after consuming cherry tomatoes as a snack which were part of the ‘Fruit and vegetables at school’ project proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture.
No traces of toxin of bacterial origin or chemical contaminants in the cherry tomatoes eaten by a hundred schoolchildren and by some teachers from various schools in the Modena area who they felt bad on the morning of Thursday 9 May. However, other cases had been reported in institutions in Emilia-Romagna (and Marche), such as in Cesena, Forlì, Rimini and Faenza.
The product samples (which were part of the ‘Fruits and vegetables at school’ project proposed by Ministry of Agriculture) were delivered to the Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna and to the Arpae laboratory in Ferrara for a broad spectrum of research.
The first results of the analyzes arrived today: no toxins of bacterial origin or chemical contaminants. This was confirmed by a press release fromLocal health authority of Modena.
Poisoned children at school in Modena: “They ate tomatoes”, Ministry project stopped
“Following reports of episodes of food poisoning recorded in some primary schools in the Emilia-Romagna region participating in the ‘Fruit and vegetables in schools’ program – states the note from the health company -, the probable link with the consumption of cherry tomatoes has emerged The immediate suspension of the administration of the product was requested and the competent services of the Public Health Departments of the local health authorities concerned, including Modena, carried out the appropriate checks, including sampling of the cherry tomatoes”.
Furthermore, the values referring to other possible chemical contaminants such as copper and other metals, sulphur, histamine and plant protection products were within the norm.
“Remember that school children Modenese subjects of the epidemiological investigation by the Local Health Authority – concludes the press release -, for a total of 4 institutions, there were 132, plus 7 teachers; all had mostly developed mild gastrointestinal symptoms.”
