Feb 19 • 18:10 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

Sheinbaum calls for investigation into case of children poisoned with fentanyl tamales: ‘How did it get here’

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is urging an investigation after a girl tested positive for fentanyl following the consumption of tamales, which has raised concerns about food safety.

Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, has called for a thorough investigation concerning a case where a young girl became ill after eating tamales suspected of containing fentanyl. Sheinbaum emphasized the need for the Security Cabinet and the Attorney General's Office to determine whether the girl's symptoms were indeed linked to fentanyl and how such a dangerous substance could have contaminated the food. This incident has triggered a widespread alarm about the safety of street food in the region and the potential risks associated with narcotics finding their way into everyday items.

The poisoning incident, which has affected seven children in total, has reportedly left one girl hospitalized in Puebla. The children, aged between two and eleven, were admitted to Puebla's General Hospital for evaluation after exhibiting symptoms consistent with drug poisoning. Officials are conducting a detailed assessment of the situation, as the community grapples with the implications of fentanyl's presence in food items, emphasizing the importance of public health and safety measures.

This case has shed light on broader issues regarding the trafficking of fentanyl in Mexico. With fentanyl being a potent synthetic opioid linked to numerous overdoses and fatalities, the potential for it to inadvertently poison children through food is alarming. This incident not only raises questions about food regulation but also about the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Mexico, highlighting the need for integrated efforts to protect vulnerable populations from such risks.

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