Detergent served instead of salt in Bihar school mid-day meal, 34 students fall ill

More than 30 students fell ill after allegedly consuming a mid-day meal at a government school in Bihar's Nalanda district on Aug 18, with detergent powder reportedly being used instead of salt while preparing the food.

The incident took place at Middle School in Parasi under the Noorsarai police station area. The affected students were taken to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital after they complained of dizziness and vomiting following the meal.

School principal Shailendra Kumar Singh said the meal, which comprised soybean rice, had been supplied by an NGO according to the prescribed menu.

According to locals cited in reports, some students had already eaten when others complained that the food did not contain enough salt. The containers containing salt and detergent powder were reportedly kept at the same place in the school kitchen, following which the cook allegedly mistook the detergent for salt and added it to the food.

Several students began feeling dizzy and vomiting soon after consuming the meal. They were initially given first aid at the school, but were later taken to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital when their condition did not improve.

Civil Surgeon Dr Jay Prakash Singh visited the hospital and assessed the condition of the affected students. He said all the children were out of danger.

Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar also visited the hospital and met the affected students. He spoke to doctors regarding their condition and said a detailed inquiry would be conducted to determine how the alleged lapse occurred during preparation and serving of the mid-day meal.

The incident has raised questions about the handling and storage of cooking and cleaning materials at the school. The reports said the salt and detergent containers were kept at the same location, with the alleged mix-up resulting in detergent being added to the meal.

The students were subsequently kept under medical observation at Biharsharif Sadar Hospital, where officials said they were stable and out of danger.

The administration's inquiry is expected to establish how the detergent came to be used in the meal and the circumstances surrounding its preparation and serving.