Students hospitalized with suspected food poisoning from school breakfast in Bolivia

Five primary school students in Bolivia are recovering after experiencing symptoms consistent with food poisoning, which authorities suspect may be linked to their school breakfast. The students, all in fourth grade at the Hugo Banzer Suárez educational unit in District 13 of Santa Cruz, were rushed for medical attention on Monday.

Local officials, led by Sub-Mayor Juan Vladimir Bocanegra, immediately visited the school to inspect the supplementary meals. They collected food samples as part of the established protocol to investigate the potential connection between the food and the students' illness. "We came to verify here at the school, to see the products, to find out why the children are like this. We really don't know, but the corresponding investigations will be carried out," Bocanegra stated.

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We came to verify here at the school, to see the products, to find out why the children are like this. We really don't know, but the corresponding investigations will be carried out.

The sub-mayor confirmed that the nutritionist responsible for the school breakfast program was expected to arrive to oversee the removal of remaining food products. These samples will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. "We are going to take the products to the sub-mayor's office (...) to carry out the corresponding investigation in a laboratory. We are waiting for the professionals to arrive and then we will be able to give a complete report," he added.

Bocanegra also clarified that the breakfast program serves students in early childhood and primary education. Those in secondary school, attending the afternoon shift, do not receive this benefit. A definitive decision on whether the breakfast service will continue on Tuesday has not yet been made, as authorities await the laboratory results and further investigation findings to determine the cause of the students' discomfort and decide on appropriate measures regarding the food supply.

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We are going to take the products to the sub-mayor's office (...) to carry out the corresponding investigation in a laboratory. We are waiting for the professionals to arrive and then we will be able to give a complete report.