I loved bringing in treats for my classmates as a kid, especially if my mom baked them. I was always so proud of her creations and truly took pride in having the “best baker mom” in the class. The horror I would have felt knowing those treats caused an outbreak of illness would have been unfathomable, but sadly, a young student is facing that depressing reality.
At Clay-Chalkville Middle School in Clay, Alabama, multiple students are being treated after reportedly getting sick after eating cookies a student brought in from home, according to People.
WTVM reported that Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin put fears to rest and reassured community members that the baked treats bought and sold were not laced with any illicit substances, saying, “at this point, we don’t know if this was a case of food poisoning or something else.”
Authorities estimate roughly 20 students were affected. People also reported that according to the Jefferson County Schools Student and Parent handbook, students actually are not allowed to participate in “buying, selling or bartering, trading, or otherwise exchanging any items at school as identified by school administration” which includes food and beverages.
The handbook also actively discourages sharing or exchanging foods due to allergy concerns but did not overall ban it from the schools as a whole.
