A total of 45 children were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning after consuming a mid-day meal at a private school near Thane, Maharashtra. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, when 38 children aged 8 to 11 began experiencing severe symptoms, including giddiness, nausea, headache, and abdominal pain, shortly after lunch. The students were served a meal of rice and moth bean curry, which has now come under scrutiny.
As the situation escalated, ambulances were called by the school administration to transport the affected children to a civic hospital in Kalwa. Later that night, seven additional students were admitted, raising the total number of hospitalized minors to 45. Medical officials confirmed that all children are now stable and responding positively to treatment. Dr. Aniruddha Malgaonkar, the hospital’s medical in-charge, stated that if the children continue to recover well, they may be discharged by Wednesday afternoon.
Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Additional Commissioner Sandeep Malvi confirmed that the children had consumed the mid-day meal at the school and emphasized that they are currently out of danger. He noted that food samples from the meal have been collected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for analysis, although it has yet to be determined whether the moth bean was stale or contaminated.
The incident has raised concerns among parents, who have been present at the hospital since the news broke. Officials have stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all affected students.
This alarming event highlights the ongoing challenges related to food safety in educational institutions and the critical importance of monitoring meal quality for children.
Source: PTI
Also read: Dead lizard allegedly found in mid day meal, 25 students fall sick
Posted in News, States
