Posted on 03/16/2004 6:15:32 PM PST by nuconvert
Three Dozen St. Louis Schoolchildren Become Ill After Cafeteria Lunch
Mar 16, 2004
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) - More than three dozen children at a St. Louis grade school became ill Tuesday after eating lunch in the school cafeteria. Twenty-four of the 39 children from Lafayette Elementary School were taken by buses to two hospitals, where they complained of stomach aches, headaches and vomiting. The symptoms appear consistent with food poisoning, said St. Louis Children's Hospital spokeswoman Jackie Ferman.
Both hospitals said late Tuesday they had treated and released the children.
The students became ill after a lunch of ham and au gratin potatoes.
"It was almost like the whole school was getting sick," said 10-year-old fourth-grader Tijohnna Reeves.
Cultures from the children and samples of the food were taken to the city health department for testing.
The district temporarily suspended its contract with Philadelphia-based Aramark Corp., a private company hired three weeks ago to provide food service in the district's cafeterias.
"Obviously we're working with the district and the health department because the safety of the kids is the top priority," said Aramark spokesman Doug Warner. "We want to investigate every possible scenario."
I think this might be the same company that provides food service at a number of sports venues around Saint Louis.
Cuz this what happens when privatization occurs, and the Bush administration is stealing the kids' lunch money because of his reckless and irresponsible Iraq policy.
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