70 Students Hospitalized After Suspected Contamination in Bihar School Mid-Day Meal
In Bihar’s Madhepura district, panic erupted at Upgraded Middle School in Karu Tola, Sahugarh village, under the Madhepura police station limits, when approximately 70 students fell ill shortly after eating their mid-day meal on Saturday.
The children, who attend the government-run school, began experiencing symptoms including vomiting, stomach pain, and general uneasiness soon after consuming the lunch provided under the scheme. The sudden onset of complaints among multiple students created chaos on the premises, prompting swift action from school staff.
Teachers and local residents quickly mobilized, arranging ambulances and private vehicles to transport the affected children to Sadar Hospital in the district. Medical personnel attended to them promptly. While the condition of most students stabilized following treatment, one girl’s health remained serious, and she continued under close medical observation.
Local accounts suggested possible contamination, with some residents speculating that a lizard may have entered the food during preparation or serving. The mid-day meal at the school is supplied by Paras Agro, a voluntary organization tasked with distribution.
Authorities responded rapidly once the incident surfaced. The school administration notified the education and health departments. District Education Officer (DEO) Sanjay Kumar arrived at the hospital to assess the situation firsthand. He met with treating doctors, checked on the children’s progress, and spoke with worried families.
The DEO assured that all students were receiving appropriate care and urged calm, emphasizing there was no cause for undue alarm. He confirmed that the meal is provided through an NGO and announced the launch of a formal inquiry to examine potential negligence. The investigation will cover all elements of food quality, supply chain, and distribution processes, with firm action promised against any parties found culpable.
Anxious parents converged at the hospital, voicing frustration and calling for accountability and stringent measures to prevent future occurrences. Officials have initiated steps to probe the matter thoroughly, as concerns over the safety of school meals persist in the region.