In a disturbing development, approximately 80 students from a district council school in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, were hospitalized on Sunday following a food poisoning incident. The students fell ill after consuming biscuits provided as part of a nutritional meal program.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning when around 8:30 AM, 257 students began reporting symptoms of food poisoning shortly after eating the biscuits. Dr Babasaheb Ghughe, a medical officer at the hospital, confirmed that 153 students were taken to the hospital for treatment. Some of these students were treated and discharged, while seven with severe symptoms were transferred to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Civil Hospital for further care.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the source of the contamination. The focus is on the biscuits provided as part of the nutritional program, and whether the incident resulted from improper handling, storage, or contamination of the food products.
The local health department is working to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future and that the affected students receive the necessary medical care and support.
In a related development concerning school meal programs, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a significant enhancement to the state’s nutritional meal initiative. Starting from Saturday, students in government and government-aided schools will receive eggs six days a week, in partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation.
This decision expands the previous arrangement where eggs were provided only two days a week. The new program aims to offer supplementary nutritious food six days a week, improving the quality of meals provided to students. Siddaramaiah highlighted the importance of quality food for mental health and educational performance, noting that many children come to school without adequate meals.
The initiative reflects a commitment to improving the nutritional intake of students, ensuring they have the necessary support for both academic success and overall well-being.