Key Update

Over 33 students fell ill after eating the mid-day meal at the Government Middle School in Odakkalpalayam, Sultanpet block, Coimbatore district, raising serious concerns about the safety of the government’s flagship nutrition scheme. Students began experiencing vomiting and severe stomach pain shortly after lunch. Some became ill on the school premises, while others developed symptoms after returning home and alerted their parents. Panic spread as the number of affected children rose.

Authorities Send Food Samples for Testing

Panchayat officials and local authorities immediately took the children to nearby private hospitals. Several students are receiving treatment at Aram Hospital in Sultanpet, while others were admitted to Purushothaman Hospital and Royal Care Hospital in the Senjeri Malai area. Doctors confirmed that the children are stable and reported no life-threatening conditions.

Sultanpet Block Development Officer Saravanan visited the school and hospitals and said officials collected food samples from the mid-day meal and sent them to the Food Safety Department for testing. He added that all affected students remain under medical supervision, and authorities will confirm the cause of the illness once laboratory results arrive.

Inspection and Police Inquiry

Officials ordered a full inspection of the food’s quality, preparation methods, and storage practices at the school. The Sultanpet police launched an inquiry to determine whether negligence or hygiene lapses contributed to the suspected food poisoning.

Parents Demand Accountability

The incident triggered shock and anxiety among parents and residents. Many called for stricter supervision and accountability in implementing the mid-day meal scheme. Education officials assured families that they would take corrective measures once the investigation concludes.

The episode comes amid heightened concern over school meal safety in southern India. It follows a recent incident in Karnataka, where a viral video showed worms in cooked rice served at a government school, reigniting debates over food safety, storage practices, and oversight in public nutrition programmes.

Source: Mathrubhumi