Telangana Mid-Day Meal Scare: 22 Students Hospitalized in Sangareddy
22 primary school students fall ill after eating sambar and rice lunch.
In Sangareddy district of Telangana, around 22 students from a primary school were rushed to hospital on Thursday after consuming their mid-day meal. The children ate sambar and rice during afternoon lunch and quickly developed symptoms like intense stomach pain and discomfort. Police and school officials acted swiftly, transferring the affected students to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment and observation.
A Narayankhed police official reported that all 22 students stabilized after receiving care and were expected to be discharged by evening. No parental complaints have surfaced so far, and authorities continue monitoring closely while awaiting lab results on the exact cause. Some local accounts suggest possible issues with leftover or improperly handled food, though investigations remain ongoing to confirm any negligence or contamination.
This incident echoes a recent similar event in Tamil Nadu, where over 33 students at Odakkalpalayam Government Middle School near Coimbatore suffered vomiting and severe pain after their January mid-day meal. Those children required hospital admission, leading to quality inspections and a police probe. Such repeated cases across states raise serious questions about hygiene, storage, and oversight in the national mid-day meal program.
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These episodes spotlight persistent challenges in ensuring safe, nutritious food for millions of schoolchildren under the scheme, which combats hunger while boosting attendance. Experts and officials stress the need for stricter hygiene protocols, regular testing, and better training for cooks and suppliers to avoid endangering young lives. Authorities in Telangana have promised a thorough inquiry to prevent recurrences.
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