More than 180 children at a home for orphans in Islamabad, Pakistan, were sickened Sunday, July 5, 2015, reportedly after consuming “substandard” food. The children were taken to three different hospitals after complaining of stomach pain and other symptoms of foodborne illness soon after eating breakfast. According to a newspaper report, some of the children became unconscious and some started vomiting, having diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems. “The children were fed substandard meals, which led to food poisoning,” said Dr. Ayesha Esani. However, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Sweet Homes, the Islamabad orphanage where the children live, said those sickened were not victims of malnutrition but were given quality food. Zamrud Khan said the children were given milk and bread for breakfast and that food samples would be provided to health officials for laboratory tests. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)
