The Assistant Commissioner’s office in Koppal has issued inquiry notices to two officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) following serious allegations of worms being found in midday meals served at government and aided schools in the district.
Assistant Commissioner Mahesh Malagitti has directed FSSAI designated officer Alakanand Malagi and food safety officer Krishnappa Rathod to appear for an inquiry on March 5.
Conflicting laboratory reports raise questions
The issue surfaced after three samples of the food grain supplied for midday meals were sent to a divisional laboratory for testing. The laboratory reportedly declared the samples ‘unsafe’, stating that “live worms, dead worms and webbed worms were visible on the surface” in all three samples.
However, in an appeal process, additional samples were sent to a referral laboratory, which returned a ‘safe’ report, stating that no worms were found.
Complainant Srishaila Aldahalli alleged that samples were changed, resulting in contradictory findings. He claimed that food initially declared unsafe was later termed safe, allowing the issue to persist in schools.
Probe ordered following complaint
A formal complaint, along with supporting documents, was submitted to the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department. The department subsequently wrote to the Koppal Deputy Commissioner seeking an inquiry and detailed report.
Acting on the Deputy Commissioner’s directions, the Assistant Commissioner initiated the probe and issued notices to the concerned FSSAI officials.
The inquiry has drawn significant attention across government and aided schools in Koppal district, where repeated complaints have reportedly been raised regarding the quality of midday meals served to children.
Authorities are expected to submit a comprehensive report after the March 5 hearing.