28 Georgia Middle School Students Hospitalized After Eating Candy on Valentine's Day

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More than two dozen students at a middle school in Georgia were hospitalized on Valentine’s Day after eating candy that left them feeling ill.

The students, who attend Sandtown Middle School in Atlanta, complained that they were feeling sick after eating candy and snacks at school on Thursday, according to theAtlanta Journal-Constitution.

Of the 28 students hospitalized, 25 were released to their parents or guardians on Friday, Romanick told PEOPLE.

Several students said that they felt “nauseated and disoriented,” Cliff Jones, the district’s chief academic officer, said in a statement to theAJC.

It is not clear whether Valentine’s Day candy specifically was the cause of the illness. Romanick told PEOPLE on Friday afternoon, “at this time, we cannot confirm that food or candy was the source of the students’ illnesses, but it is being investigated.”

“Until the investigation is complete, the school system cannot make a determination of what caused students’ illnesses, its origin, if there was a deliberate, wrongful act committed, or if criminal charges or student discipline will be levied,” Romanick said.

“Fulton County Schools also thanks the greater community for their concern. We want answers as much as you do, and will cooperate fully with all agencies to determine what happened.”

source: people.com