N.J. Preschool and Kindergarten Center Served Students Milk Cartons Filled With Sanitizer

The Camden City School District in New Jersey launched an investigation Wednesday after a handful of students from a preschool and kindergarten center were taken to the hospital after drinking from milk cartons filled with sanitizer, NBC News reports.

Staff at the Early Childhood Development Center called 911 at around 9 a.m. after kids drank from the cartons that had an antiseptic odor. Eleven students were taken to one hospital, while another 21 were transported to another clinic. All of them were discharged within hours, and none reported any sickness, according to The Hill. 

The school district explained in a statement that the substance in question was a non-toxic consumable sanitizer that cleans machines before milk is poured inside. The cartons were filled with the sanitizer, sealed, and shipped out before anyone realized the mistake. The students were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

First responders were also sent to the Riletta Twyne Cream Early Childhood Development Center. Five kids were seen at the Cooper Medical Center, and 15 others were observed before getting cleared to go home. 

“This was a scary situation but thankfully, everyone who was exposed to the milk is in stable condition and either back at school or home,” Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said. “This investigation is ongoing, and our department will get to the bottom of this situation.” 

“We pulled all milk today and NO milk will be served until the investigation is completed,” the district said.