A private school near Thane, Maharashtra, is under investigation after 45 children were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning following their midday meal. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when 38 students, aged between 8 and 11 years, complained of dizziness, nausea, headaches, and abdominal pain shortly after lunch.
Seven more children were hospitalized later that night, bringing the total number of affected students to 45. The students were admitted to a civic hospital in Kalwa town, where they are being monitored by medical professionals. Thirty-seven students are reported to be in good health and are expected to be discharged at 5 pm following a 24-hour observation period.
The remaining eight children continue to exhibit symptoms of fever and vomiting and will remain under observation for an additional 12 hours.
The incident has prompted a police investigation, with the Kalwa police registering an FIR against the school management and the food supplier. The charges filed include endangering personal safety or life through rashness or negligence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as potential violations of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. No arrests have been made as of yet.
Parents of the affected students were present at the hospital and expressed their concerns regarding the incident.
Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the food poisoning. Samples of the food served to the students, which included rice and moth bean curry, have been collected by FDA officials. The investigation aims to identify any potential contaminants or food safety violations that may have led to the incident.
The school administration has been criticized for its response to the incident. Parents have expressed disappointment with the school’s initial handling of the situation, alleging that they were not informed promptly about the hospitalization of the children. The school administration has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.
The incident has raised concerns about food safety protocols in school settings, particularly regarding the quality and preparation of midday meals. The investigation is expected to provide further insight into the cause of the poisoning and potentially lead to changes in food safety practices within the school and beyond.
