Over 100 get suspected 'food poisoning' in Batam

Over 100 get suspected 'food poisoning' in Batam

Fadli, The Jakarta Post/Batam

Over 100 employees of a contact lens factory in Batam were
admitted to hospital on Thursday, allegedly for food poisoning.
Deputy director of Batam Authority Hospital Afdalun A. Hakim
confirmed the hospital was treating 55 employees, most of whom
were dehydrated after vomiting uncontrollably.

Other patients were treated at Casa Medical Center and Batam
Industrial Park Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Atminingsih, 25, who spoke on behalf of the
employees at Casa Medical Center, recalled that over 100
employees were hospitalized after eating breakfast provided to
them by the management of contact lens maker PT Ciba Vision.

According to her records, some 50 employees were treated at
Casa Medical Center, 30 at Batam Industrial Park Medical Center
and the remaining 55 at Batam Authority Hospital.

Atminingsih said meals were served by the company twice a day.

The company has some 2,000 employees.

"I believe that many other employees also suffered from food
poisoning, but they apparently went straight home," said
Atminingsih. No company officials were available for comment on
Thursday.

Separately, head of Batam Municipality Health Office Puardi
Djarius said the office was investigating the case.

"We will check whether the food was hygienically prepared,"
said Puardi.