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ORANGE, Mass. (WBZNewsRadio) — A group of elementary students in Orange are recovering after coming in contact with an extremely spicy gum product while at recess.
In a letter to parents and guardians, Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth Teahan-Zielinski wrote that a student at Dexter Park Innovation School brought the gum to school and distributed it to others during recess on Tuesday.
"The product contained levels of pepper, which, when some students ingested it, caused digestive issues, including burning in the mouth and esophagus," Teahan-Zielinksi said, "Additionally, students who accepted the product but did not ingest it suffered immediate skin reactions, including eye irritation, if they rubbed their eyes after touching it."
School officials are now asking parents to speak to their children about bringing in or accepting candy in school, which is against their current wellness policy.
The school has launched an investigation into the situation and said appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
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