School authorities in India are investigating claims that a dead snake included in a student's lunch may have caused poisoning among several children.
Last week, more than 100 students at Upkramit Madhya Vidyalaya in Mokama, India fell sick after eating their midday meal. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched a probe into the incident, condemning it as a "serious issue of violation of human rights."
In a statement on Thursday, the NHRC revealed that a school cook reportedly served the food to about 500 children, despite discovering a dead snake in it. According to the commission, the incident was first reported in local media, though no official confirmation has been made as yet.
Symptoms of those affected varied, with some students experiencing vomiting and dizziness. While no traces of poison were detected in medical examinations, the incident has caused panic and unrest among parents and villagers.
The NHRC has demanded a detailed report from Bihar authorities within four weeks, which will include the current health status of affected children, among other details.
The incident follows a similar tragedy in 2013, when at least 23 children were killed by a free school meal contaminated with concentrated pesticide. In that case, the children fell ill within minutes of eating a meal of rice and potato curry, subsequently vomiting and convulsing with stomach cramps.
Reports of food safety complaints related to school meals are not uncommon in India, where the placement of budgetary constraints and lack of oversight can lead to such incidents. The country's Mid Day Meal Scheme, aimed at tackling hunger among school children, is the world's largest school food program, serving more than 113 million children.
India's Ministry of Education introduced the scheme in 2001, providing a free lunch for children in public schools for at least 200 days a year. Though the scheme has helped make a significant impact in reducing school dropout rates, it has also drawn criticism for safety and quality concerns.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for a detailed report from Bihar authorities on the health status of children who were sickened after eating a contaminated school meal, where a dead snake was found. This incident, which left dozens ill, highlights the ongoing challenges with food safety in India's Mid Day Meal Scheme, the world's largest school food program, especially concerning the use of shortcuts that could potentially endanger the health and wellness of children. Despite the science behind maintaining food safety, incidents like these underscore the need for rigorous oversight to ensure the safety and nutrition of children in the school meals program.
