A program, sponsored by Nestlé, providing free malted chocolate drinks for elementary students in Hau Giang Province, located in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, has been halted following a recent suspected mass food poisoning.

Leaders of the provincial People’s Committee have put the brakes on the program, which offered Nestlé’s Milo gratis to students at elementary schools across the province.

Milo is a chocolate and malt powder that is often mixed with hot or cold water or milk to produce a beverage.

The decision to cease the program was made after nearly 500 students of two elementary schools in Nga Bay Town had been admitted to a local hospital after having the drink on Friday morning.

About 39 of the young patients were hospitalized for more severe symptoms, while the rest were able to return home after their treatment on the same day.

Huynh Van Huan, director of the infirmary, confirmed on Saturday that all students had recovered and been discharged from the hospital.

Initial reports of the Hau Giang department of food safety showed that the Milo chocolate power was mixed with condensed milk and hot water at the warehouse of M.C Advertising Service Company in Nga Bay Town, located about 10 kilometers from the schools.

The Milo products were manufactured by Nestlé Vietnam.

However, the firm did not work directly with Hau Giang authorities but instead authorized M.C Company to carry out the free drink program.

Competent agencies have examined the storage of M.C and confiscated 400 packets of Milo and over 1,300 cans of condensed milk, all of which have not reached expiration dates.

Officers stated that the suspected food poisoning could have been caused by improper mixing or transportation, adding that the water could not have been thoroughly boiled.   

The provincial administration has ordered the examination of the drink quality and asked the hospital not to charge the victims.

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