Seven students at BC Rain High School in Mobile, Alabama, became ill on Monday after reportedly consuming brownies made by a teacher. A mother of one of the affected students claims the educator used mayonnaise instead of cooking oil in the baked goods.
Erica Buford, mother of a freshman student, told WKRG that the brownies were given to students as a reward. Her son reported feeling heavy and tired after eating one, and other students who consumed the treat also experienced adverse effects. Buford stated her son also complained of chest pain, leading her to pick him up from school early.
Buford dismissed theories that the students may have been using marijuana or a vape pen, asserting that no drugs were found in their systems. She also expressed frustration with the school's alleged lack of immediate concern for the students' well-being.
Sherry McDade, a member of the Mobile County School Board, confirmed that the cause of the students' illnesses is under investigation. "Our parents have concerns. As a parent myself, I know that there's a great concern," McDade told WKRG. "But again, BC Rain High School did what they were supposed to do. They executed to perfection. And parents, we have your children's best interests at heart."
The teacher involved has not faced any disciplinary action, according to reports. McDade noted that teachers bringing homemade treats for students has been a common practice for many years as a form of reward.
Mayonnaise is not an uncommon ingredient in baking, with some recipes utilizing it as a substitute for eggs due to its oil and egg content. The Mobile County School System has been contacted for comment.