19 students suffer suspected food poisoning; investigation begins

AMMAN — Investigations are under way after 19 students suffered from suspected food poisoning in Amman on Tuesday, according to an informed source. 

The students, from a school in Marka in the east of the capital, were admitted to hospital with symptoms of food poisoning on Tuesday after eating falafel sandwiches from a restaurant near their school.

“The students started to feel sick during their first class. The school’s management called Civil Defence personnel who took them to Al Bashir Hospital,” said Abdul Kareem Yamani, director of Marka District’s education department. 

A source from the hospital, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Jordan Times that the students arrived at the emergency unit, showing symptoms of food poisoning, including nausea and abdominal pain. 

“They all consumed humus and falafel sandwiches from the same place,” the source noted, adding that all the students were discharged after receiving the necessary treatment. 

“Students bought the sandwiches from a restaurant outside the school,” Yamani noted. 

He stated that authorities are investigating the incident.

The Education Ministry’s instructions stipulate that school canteens should only deal with restaurants that are licensed by the Health Ministry.