A disturbing case of food contamination has emerged from West Bengal, where 15 school children were hospitalised after reportedly consuming a worm-infested midday meal. The incident has sparked outrage among parents and prompted an immediate government investigation into food safety at schools.
Incident Details
According to local sources, the students—aged between 8 and 12 years—belonged to a primary school in the South 24 Parganas district. Soon after eating their midday meal on Tuesday, several children complained of stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting.
They were quickly rushed to a nearby district hospital, where doctors confirmed food poisoning symptoms. All 15 children are now reported to be in stable condition, though under observation.
What Officials Said
An education department official stated that preliminary checks revealed worms in the rice served to students.
“Samples from the meal have been collected for testing. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for negligence,” said a district officer.
The school headmistress and midday meal supplier have been temporarily suspended pending the investigation.
Parents React with Anger
Angry parents gathered outside the school demanding accountability. Many alleged that poor food quality and lack of hygiene in midday meals had been a recurring issue.
One parent said,
“We send our children to school trusting the system. If this is what they are fed, how can we be sure they’re safe?”
Midday Meal Scheme Under Scrutiny
The Midday Meal Scheme, now known as PM POSHAN, is meant to provide free cooked meals to students to encourage school attendance and improve nutrition. However, such incidents have repeatedly raised questions about quality control, food storage, and supply chain hygiene in several states.
Experts note that monitoring lapses and contractor negligence often lead to contamination cases, despite clear safety guidelines.
Government Response
The West Bengal education ministry has directed district authorities to:
Conduct a full inspection of the school’s kitchen and food supplies.
Review hygiene standards of all meal contractors in the district.
Ensure random food testing before serving to students.
Officials assured that immediate corrective measures will be implemented to prevent recurrence.
Current Status
All affected children are recovering and under medical supervision. Hospital authorities have confirmed that none of the cases are critical. Parents have been advised to monitor for symptoms of infection or dehydration.
Conclusion
The Bengal midday meal contamination incident highlights the urgent need for stricter food safety checks in school nutrition programs. While all students are now safe, the episode serves as a reminder that children’s health and trust must never be compromised in the pursuit of administrative convenience.
❓ FAQs
Q1. Where did the incident occur?
In a government primary school in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
Q2. How many children were affected?
Fifteen students were hospitalised after eating the contaminated meal.
Q3. What caused the illness?
Preliminary reports indicate the presence of worms in the rice served during lunch.
Q4. What action has been taken?
Officials have suspended responsible staff and ordered a full-scale inquiry into the food supply process.
Q5. Are the children safe now?
Yes, all hospitalised children are in stable condition and recovering.
Published on : 5th November
Published by : SMITA
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