Thirty pupils from two different schools in Al Ain were hospitalised on Thursday due to food poisoning.
The pupils were treated in school clinics and then transported to hospitals and medical clinics and the schools food supplier was suspended.
The Ministry of Education said an emergency committee has been formed, in coordination with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, to send inspectors to investigate the case, fix the responsibility, and take the necessary action.
It explained that all necessary medical procedures were undertaken, in cooperation with the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, and asserted that the pupils’ conditions are now stable.
“A delegation from the ministry, which included the Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry, the Director of the Al Ain Educational Zone and several school leaders in Al Ain, visited the students, to ensure that they are receiving treatment and to monitor the ongoing investigation,” said the ministry.
The ministry called on those responsible for the pupils’ education, including their parents and school officials, to communicate with each other and assess the quality of the food offered in schools.
Dr Omniyat Al Hajiri, Director of Public Health at the Department of Health- Abu Dhabi said on Thursday that 48 pupils were reported ill and directly admitted to medical clinics, 16 of them were transferred to Al Ain and Tawam hospitals for medical care.
"48 pupils were reported ill due to food poisoning, 30 of them suffered from moderate symptoms and 19 had mild symptoms," said Dr Al Hajiri.
"16 were transferred to Al Ain and Tawam hospital for further check-ups and medical attention. All the cases are stable and there were no reports of severe cases," she said.
Dr Al Hajiri said that the pupils suffered from abdominal pain and vomiting while some had diarrhoea.
The Department said on Friday 85% of the pupils were discharged from Al Ain hospital after receiving the necessary treatment.