In a concerning incident highlighting food safety issues in government schools, approximately 22 students were hospitalized after falling ill from their mid-day meals at a primary school in Sangareddy district, Telangana. Officials confirmed the incident, which occurred on Thursday, when the students consumed sambar and rice during lunch and soon began experiencing severe stomach pain and discomfort.
Immediate Medical Response and Stable Condition
A police official from Narayanked reported that the affected students were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. The official later stated that all 22 students are now in stable condition and are expected to be discharged from the hospital by tonight. "Around 22 students were hospitalized after consuming sambar and rice this afternoon. They experienced symptoms like stomach pain and were immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment. All are stable, and we're expecting they'll be discharged by tonight. We haven't received any complaints from parents," the official said.
Authorities Investigate the Cause
Further details regarding the exact cause of the illness are still awaited, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Investigations are underway to determine whether contamination or other factors led to the students' adverse reactions, with a focus on ensuring such incidents do not recur.
Separate Incident in Tamil Nadu Raises Alarms
In a separate but similar incident, over 33 students fell ill after consuming mid-day meals at Odakkalpalayam Government Middle School near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This event took place on January 4 under the Sultanpet Union jurisdiction. Shortly after eating, the students reported symptoms including vomiting, severe stomach pain, and general discomfort.
Emergency Hospitalization and Official Response
The affected children were immediately rushed to multiple private hospitals for treatment, including Aram Hospital in Sultanpet, as well as Purushothaman Hospital and Royal Care Hospital in Senjeri Malai. Following the report, the Sultanpet Block Development Officer visited the school to conduct a thorough inquiry. Orders have been issued to check the quality of the mid-day meal, while Sultanpet police have launched a formal investigation into the incident.
Growing Concerns Over Food Safety
These back-to-back cases have once again raised significant concerns about food safety and the monitoring of the mid-day meal scheme in government schools across India. The incidents underscore the urgent need for stricter quality control measures and regular inspections to prevent such health scares, which jeopardize student well-being and public trust in essential nutrition programs.
With agency inputs providing additional context, these events serve as a stark reminder of the challenges in maintaining food hygiene standards in school meal programs, prompting calls for enhanced oversight and accountability from authorities.
