Six students at San Pasqual Union School in Escondido were checked out by paramedics yesterday after sharing a candy bar that school officials say contained an unknown substance. First responders treated the children on campus, and one student was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. According to the district, families of the affected students were notified and staff followed established safety protocols.
Paramedics responded to the campus
As reported by 10News, San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were called to the San Pasqual campus at about 10:20 AM after six students began showing signs of a reaction to something they had eaten. Superintendent Mark Burroughs told families in a message that a student brought a candy bar to school that was later found to contain an unknown substance and shared it with other students, and that staff moved quickly to assess the situation and protect students. The district and fire officials have not released additional details about the substance or how the candy bar ended up at school.
District response and snack rules
The San Pasqual Union School District, which lists its main office and campus at 15305 Rockwood Road in Escondido, confirmed that affected families were contacted about the incident. The district’s San Pasqual Union School District site notes that snacks brought for birthdays or classroom events must meet USDA Smart Snacks in Schools standards and asks families to submit a Food Approval Request Form for any approved treats. District officials said staff followed their existing safety protocols while first responders evaluated the students on campus.
Why officials are cautious
Officials have not publicly identified the substance found in the candy bar, and school and fire authorities have not provided further information. Similar incidents in other communities have sometimes involved cannabis-infused edibles or other mislabeled products that can trigger strong reactions in children, especially when the packaging looks like regular candy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented increases in cannabis-involved emergency department visits among young people in recent years and warns that edibles can be mistaken for normal sweets, urging adults to store such products securely and out of children’s reach.
What parents should know
Parents are advised to watch for symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, or difficulty breathing and to seek emergency care if a child has trouble breathing or loses consciousness. For non-life-threatening exposures, Poison Help offers guidance at 1-800-222-1222 or online at Poison Help. Families with questions about how the school handled the incident can contact the district office at (760) 745-4931.
