Dozens of kids drink sanitizer that was put in milk cartons, New Jersey school says
Several students were sickened after drinking sanitizer that was sealed inside milk cartons and shipped out to schools in Camden, New Jersey, the city’s school district said.
More than 30 students were taken to nearby hospitals on Wednesday, March 30, according to a Camden County news release.
“It was determined that the substance found in the cartons is a non-toxic consumable sanitizer that runs through the vendor machines prior to milk,” the Camden City School District said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, many cartons were filled with the sanitizer, sealed, and then shipped out with the milk.”
Police were called around 9 a.m. after “an unidentified substance that had an antiseptic-like odor to it” was discovered in multiple milk cartons, according to the county’s news release.
District spokesperson Valerie Merritt told NJ.com that some of the students were throwing up after drinking the chemicals.
“We pulled all milk today and NO milk will be served until the investigation is completed,” school officials said.
At least four schools in Camden were shipped contaminated milk, the county said.
“This was a scary situation but thankfully, everyone who was exposed to the milk is in stable condition and either back at school or home,” Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said in a statement.
“This investigation is ongoing, and our department will get to the bottom of this situation. In addition, I want to thank all of our first responders and public health employees who worked together to protect the health and welfare of these children.”
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