Nalanda: Several schoolchildren in Bihar’s Nalanda district fell ill after allegedly consuming a midday meal in which detergent powder was used instead of salt at a government school.
The incident occurred at Parasi Middle School, where students were served soybean-rice as part of their midday meal. According to reports, the children complained that the food did not contain enough salt before detergent was allegedly added instead of salt.
Children develop symptoms after meal
Soon after consuming the food, several students reportedly complained of stomach pain and vomiting.
The affected children were taken to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for medical attention. Officials said the students were out of danger and were being monitored by medical teams.
The incident triggered concern among parents and local residents over the safety and supervision of meals served to children under the school midday meal programme.
Detergent allegedly kept near salt
Preliminary information suggests that the detergent and salt were kept in the same area of the school kitchen, leading to the alleged mix-up during preparation of the meal.
The circumstances surrounding how the cleaning product came to be used in the food are expected to be examined by authorities.
The incident has also renewed concerns about basic food safety practices in school kitchens, where meals are prepared and served to children on a daily basis.
Investigation expected
Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and determine how the detergent entered the meal preparation process.
The safety of schoolchildren and proper storage and handling of food ingredients will be key aspects of the probe.
The incident highlights the importance of strict supervision in school kitchens to ensure that ingredients used for cooking are clearly identified and stored separately from cleaning materials.