“MILK TEA POISONING”

MANILA, Philippines – More than a month following the death of 2 Filipinos after
drinking milk tea in Manila, Philippine police crime laboratory authorities may have
found the cause: oxalic acid.

“Victims of the sensational case Ergo Cha Milk Tea House food poisoning were found to
be positive for Oxalic Acid,” the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a statement
released Monday, May 11.

The findings were based on forensic exams performed by the PNP’s Crime Laboratory
in Camp Crame, Quezon City. (READ: DOH clueless on cause of 'milk tea deaths')

According to Chief Superintendent Theresa Ann Cid, chief of the PNP Crime
Laboratory, Suzaine Dagohoy, one of the victims, “died due to shock probably
secondary to ingestion of toxic substance.”
Aside from Dagohoy, William Abrigo, the owner of Ergo Cha Milk Tea House in Manila,
also died. Dagohoy and her partner, Arnold Aydalla purchased the drink at Abrigo’s milk
tea shop on April 9. The couple complained about the foul taste of the drink, which
Abrigo himself tasted.

Abrigo’s blood and stomach contents also tested positive for oxalic acid, according to
Manila Police District chief Rolando Nana.

Nana also said the milk tea powder and syrup obtained from the shop tested positive for
oxalic acid upon the examination of the CHEMPRO Analytical Services Laboratories,
Inc., a private company.

Aydalla, meanwhile, was earlier diagnosed with “toxic ingestion of unkown substance,”
according to his medical report from the Philippine General Hospital.

According to Cid, oxalic acid is a “poisonous, colorless substance.”

The US’s National Library of Medicine says the acid is typically found in “anti-rust
products, bleaches, metal cleaners, and rhubarb leaves,” among others.

Symptoms of oxalic acid poisoning include abdominal pain, convulsions, low blood
pressure, mouth pain, shock, and vomiting.

Exposure to oxalic acid causes “severe damage to the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, or
airway [and] may occur and quickly cause death if not treated,” according to the
National Library of Medicine.

“About 10 µg/mL (micrograms per milliliter) of oxalic acid is considered dangerous

amount. The average human body contains approximately four (4) liters of blood,
therefore, it will only take about 40mg of oxalic acid to poison a human body which can
potentially lead to a person’s death,” said Cid. – Rappler.com

Activity:
Generate a dialogue and give your own insight on what had happened, what was
the result of an investigation. What could be the possible reasons of the said food
poisoning that killed w people? As a food handler how will you prevent this serious
problem to occur? Write down safety measures in preventing food poisoning.