Recently, cases of children being poisoned by eating strange candy bought at the school gate have occurred continuously, once again raising concerns among parents. Although this situation is not new, because there are often groups of students who get food poisoning after buying cakes, candies, and drinks outside the school gate.
After school, many students gather around the shops to buy snacks.
Before school starts or after school, students flock to the shops surrounding the school gate. Colorful candies and liquids with foreign-language packaging, and fried foods priced at VND1,000-10,000 each are bought in large quantities by students. Despite many warnings and recommendations to parents and students, this situation has not improved and is almost uncontrolled.
Experts say that snacks outside the school gate are almost uncontrolled for toxic chemicals and additives that cause food poisoning in children. The use of dyes and industrial chemicals can cause children to suffer from chronic liver, kidney, and nervous diseases and cause cancer. In particular, recently, the mixing of addictive substances such as drugs and marijuana into cakes, candies, and soft drinks has become quite complicated.
Regarding food poisoning after eating some colorful candies at school gates that recently occurred in several provinces and cities, Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, Director of the Poison Control Center - Bach Mai Hospital, said that children who eat strange candies containing toxic substances, even addictive substances, can cause poisoning, symptoms of headache, stomachache, nausea, even fever due to infection, some cases can have diarrhea, causing dehydration and fatigue.
“To limit the risk of children coming into contact with strange candies that affect their health, parents should absolutely not give their children money to buy snacks at school. Limit snacks for children, remind them to eat foods with clear origins, and not to eat or drink strange foods outside the school area. Because these products pose a potential risk of food safety and hygiene, causing poisoning,” Dr. Nguyen advised.
In case children eat strange candies and show signs of excitement, irritation, headache or nausea, teachers and parents need to take the children to medical facilities immediately. When children bring strange candies home, parents need to observe and should not let them eat them. If children have eaten strange candies, parents should closely monitor their children's reactions. "Usually, if there is a problem with food, children will have reactions and symptoms after 15-30 minutes of eating. If children show symptoms such as stomachache, nausea, diarrhea, or irritation, fatigue, or difficulty breathing, they need to be taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment by doctors," the doctor said.
Currently, there are many types of 'strange candy', not only at risk of poisoning but more dangerously, they can also contain addictive substances, which is extremely dangerous for children. According to Dr. Nguyen, the Center has previously received many patients poisoned by using drugs in the form of food such as cakes, candies, and soft drinks. Using food containing drugs can lead to immediate poisoning such as confusion, coma, convulsions, mental disorders; arrhythmia, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, respiratory failure... even leading to death.
“Not only that, marijuana poisoning through inhalation or ingestion can lead to a decrease in motor coordination, a decrease in judgment, central nervous system depression, and impaired consciousness. In particular, children can fall into a coma for up to 36 hours if they consume cakes, candies, and soft drinks containing this substance. Synthetic drugs are expensive, but candy containing drugs is often made from non-pure, low-cost materials. The goal of bad guys is to lure students into using cheap cakes, candies, and soft drinks, and then use more expensive products,” added Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen.
Therefore, doctors recommend that parents should not give their children money to limit the risk of children buying unsafe snacks sold in front of the school gate. If children are found to have eaten 'strange candies' or snacks at the school gate, showing signs of excitement, irritation, headaches or nausea, teachers and parents should immediately take the child to a medical facility for examination and timely treatment.
THAO LAM
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