36+ Students Hospitalised After School Puts Detergent Powder Instead of Salt for Lunch

Over 30 students fell sick in a Bihar school after detergent was allegedly mistaken for salt and added to their midday meal.

More than 30 students fell sick after allegedly eating a midday meal containing detergent at Parasi Middle School in Nalanda, Bihar.

The students were served soybean rice, but some complained that the food needed more salt. The salt and detergent powder were reportedly kept in the same area of the school kitchen. The cook allegedly mistook the detergent for salt and added it to the food.

Soon after eating the meal, several students complained of dizziness, vomiting and stomach pain. They were first given treatment at the school before being taken to Bihar Sharif Sadar Hospital. All the affected students are reported to be out of danger.

Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar visited the hospital and met the students and doctors.

Authorities have ordered an inquiry and will test food samples to find out what happened. Officials will also investigate how the salt and detergent were stored and whether proper food-safety rules were followed.

The school principal, Shailendra Kumar Singh, said an NGO had supplied the meal according to the prescribed menu. Under the PM POSHAN scheme, schools are required to follow proper food-safety and hygiene rules, including tasting the food before serving it to students.