Food Manifest 
Key Update
A potential tragedy was averted at a government-run residential porta-cabin school in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, when staff discovered phenyl, a toxic chemical, in vegetables prepared for dinner. The school, located in a Maoist-affected tribal belt, houses 426 students. The contamination came to light during the school’s routine food tasting protocol, a safety measure carried out before every meal. As a staff member sampled the beans curry, they detected a strong, chemical odour. Upon further examination, the food was found to emit the scent of phenyl, prompting immediate action.
Food Discarded, Officials Alerted
Superintendent Dujal Patel ordered the disposal of all 48 kg of contaminated vegetables and informed senior authorities. Thankfully, the food was intercepted before it reached any of the students. “This daily check prevented a disaster,” Patel noted, adding that no one had consumed the food. District Collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv set up a three-member inquiry team, led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, to investigate the incident. Preliminary findings suggest the involvement of a staff member in deliberately contaminating the meal.
Parents Outraged, Call for Accountability
News of the incident triggered panic among parents, many of whom gathered at the school demanding answers. Disturbed by the allegations, they questioned how a staff member entrusted with the care of children could put their lives at risk.
Spotlight on Food Safety in Tribal Schools
The incident has reignited concerns over food safety in residential schools, particularly in remote and conflict-affected regions where porta-cabin schools provide vital access to education. Authorities acknowledged that strict adherence to safety protocols—like food tasting—played a key role in preventing a mass poisoning. Officials have assured the public that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and that systemic checks will be reinforced to prevent future lapses.
Source: The Times of India
