Hyderabad/Coimbatore: Concerns over the safety of mid-day meals served in government schools resurfaced after dozens of students fell ill in separate incidents reported from Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
In Telangana’s Sangareddy district, several primary school students were taken to hospital after complaining of stomach-related problems soon after eating their afternoon meal on January 29. School authorities noticed that the children began feeling uneasy within a short time of lunch, prompting immediate medical attention. Health officials later confirmed that all affected students are stable and are expected to return home after observation.
Doctors treating the children said the symptoms included stomach pain and general discomfort. Samples of the food served that day have been preserved, and officials are waiting for reports to determine what caused the illness. Local authorities have assured parents that the situation is under control and that preventive steps are being reviewed.
A similar episode was reported earlier this month in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district. Students of a government middle school in the Sultanpet area fell sick after consuming the mid-day meal provided on campus. Soon after lunch, many children complained of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, leading teachers to arrange emergency transport to nearby hospitals.
The students were admitted to multiple medical centres in and around Sultanpet, where they received treatment. Officials later stated that all students responded well to medical care. Following the incident, education and development officers inspected the school kitchen and ordered a detailed examination of food quality and preparation practices.
