A major goof-up ensued during the serving of a mid-day meal at a government school in Bihar’s Nalanda on Tuesday, which ended up emerging as a health scare. Close to 36 girl students enrolled at the school fell ill on Tuesday after they consumed their mid-day meal laced with detergent, which was believed to be salt and had mistakenly been mixed into the food. 

The incident unfolded at the Middle School in Parasi, under the Noorsarai police station area, where the students had assembled for their afternoon meal as usual. Several students reportedly complained of dizziness and began vomiting shortly after consuming the meal.

The affected students were rushed to the Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for treatment. As per officials, all of them are stable and have been reported to be out of danger. 

Cook allegedly mistook detergent for salt

Locals aware of the incident said the mid-day meal consisted of soybean rice and had been supplied by an NGO in accordance with the prescribed menu. 

The trouble began when several students complained that the food lacked salt. It is alleged that the container of salt and detergent powder had been kept in the same place in the school kitchen.

The cook allegedly mistook the detergent powder for salt and added it to the food. Some students had already consumed the meal when others raised concerns about its taste. Soon after consuming the detergent-laced meal, several kids began experiencing dizziness and vomiting, prompting school authorities to intervene. 

The students were initially provided first aid at the school. However, as their condition deteriorated, they were transported to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for further medical intervention.

Officials take stock of situation

Civil surgeon Dr Jay Prakash Singh visited the hospital and took stock of the condition of the affected students. He confirmed that all the affected children were out of danger. 

Bihar’s Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar also paid a visit to the hospital and met the students. He interacted with the doctors and sought an update on the health condition of the children. 

Probe ordered

Kumar said a detailed inquiry would be set in motion to ascertain how the alleged lapse occurred during the preparation and serving of the mid-day meal. Authorities are likely to probe the circumstances in which detergent powder was allegedly stored alongside salt and how it came to be added to the food served to the students.