Hawaii Department of Health officials said today that they are investigating after nine children at an unidentified Oahu elementary school fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms following the consumption of recently recalled Meadow Gold chocolate milk.

Health officials said the children experienced stomach aches and vomiting, but none required hospitalization. It remains unclear whether the recalled milk caused the illnesses, health officials said.

The investigation began after Meadow Gold Dairy voluntarily recalled about 70,000 half-pint cartons of chocolate milk marked with an Oct. 16 expiration date printed on the top of the container.

The milk was made and packaged out of state and distributed on Sept. 29 to nearly 200 schools and other institutions across Oahu, Maui and Kauai.

The recall was issued due to “potential quality control issues,” according to a Health Department news release Tuesday night.

Meadow Gold officials said the company is working with the Health Department and state Department of Education to collect and replace the affected products.

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Health officials confirmed today that the affected students reported illness after consuming chocolate milk but said the department has not yet determined whether all of them drank from the same batch.

DOH officials also confirmed that an intermediate school on Maui reported the milk had an abnormally thick texture — similar to chocolate pudding — though no illnesses were reported at that campus.

Residents are urged to call the DOH Disease Reporting Line at (808) 586-4586 if they or their child experience symptoms after drinking the recalled milk. Those with severe or concerning symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

Officials advise consumers not to drink Meadow Gold chocolate milk marked “OCT 16” and to discard any product that looks, smells, or tastes unusual.