30 college students suffer food poisoning

Thirty students from Lilongwe Technical College were on Sunday rushed to Bwaila Hospital in the city after they developed stomach problems suspected to have been caused by contaminated maize flour.

In an interview yesterday, the college’s principal Suzgika Mvalo said the students reacted to the nsima they ate at school, and were rushed to the hospital where they were treated as outpatients.

He suspected that the maize flour used may have contained some chemicals used for treating maize.

Mvalo said: “We have 400 students boarding and 30 reacted to the food. From now, we will be testing the maize flour before we use it to prepare food for the students. Even the supplier will be asked to eat it. We have currently stopped using this consignment of maize flour.”

Mvalo said the students are currently eating rice until the school gets a new consignment of flour.

Lilongwe District Health Office spokesperson Richard Mvula asked for more time to consult before commenting on the matter

The development comes barely two weeks after 80 students from Lunzu Secondary School in Blantyre were rushed to hospital after consuming food suspected to have had some chemicals.

The Ministry Education suspended food services at the school to protect learners.