Detergent mistaken for salt sickens over two dozen Bihar schoolchildren
More than two dozen pupils at a Bihar government school fell ill after a mid-day meal was allegedly prepared with detergent instead of salt.
On Tuesday, over two dozen students at a government middle school in Parasi, Nalanda district, became ill after eating the daily mid-day meal. The lunch, prepared according to the prescribed menu and provided by an NGO, consisted of soybean rice, but locals allege that detergent powder was mistakenly used in place of salt. Affected children reported dizziness and began vomiting, receiving first aid at the school before being transferred to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital.
Civil surgeon Dr Jay Prakash Singh examined the patients and confirmed that none remained in critical condition. Principal Shailendra Kumar Singh acknowledged the menu and the alleged error, while Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar inspected the hospital, met the students and pledged a detailed inquiry into the preparation lapse.
Why it matters
The incident exposes food-safety gaps in school feeding schemes and may trigger stricter oversight.
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