A routine mid-day meal at a government school in Bihar’s Nalanda district turned into a health scare on Tuesday when 34 students fell ill after detergent powder was allegedly served in place of salt. The children, 17 boys and 17 girls from Middle School Parasi in Noorsarai block, complained of burning in the throat, stomach pain, dizziness and vomiting. They were rushed to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital, where doctors later declared them stable and out of danger.
The meal, consisting of rice and a potato-soybean vegetable dish, was supplied by the Ekta Shakti Foundation through its centralised kitchen at Ramghat in Nagarnausa. It was served to about 132 students around 12.30 pm. Symptoms appeared shortly afterwards, and the affected children were admitted around 2.15 pm.
School headmaster Shailendra Kumar Singh said the problem arose during the second sitting of the meal. “During the second sitting, a student, identified as the granddaughter of a school cook, reportedly asked for additional salt. The cook allegedly picked up detergent powder instead of salt by mistake and added it to the girl’s food,” he explained. Other students who noticed then also asked for extra salt and received the same powder. Staff later realised what had happened when children began complaining of pain in the throat and stomach.
One of the hospitalised students, Priti Kumari, told reporters that the food smelled of detergent. “Instead of salt, it seemed detergent powder was used in the food, leading to stomach pain. Many students went unconscious after eating the food,” she said. Parent Rajveer Kumar, whose daughter Chandni was among those admitted, described a chaotic scene at the hospital: “When I reached the hospital, I saw children were vomiting; many even fell.”
Nalanda Civil Surgeon Dr Jai Prakash Singh examined the children and confirmed it was a case of food poisoning. “The health condition of all the children is stable. All will be fine,” he said, adding that they were receiving proper treatment and monitoring.
Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar, who is also the local MLA, visited the hospital, met the children and spoke with doctors. He directed hospital authorities to ensure the best possible care. “A thorough investigation would be conducted to determine exactly where the lapse occurred while serving the midday meal,” the minister said. He assured that strict action would be taken against any personnel found guilty. “There would be no compromise regarding the children’s health,” he added, noting that the mid-day meal scheme is vital for both nutrition and education and that negligence would not be tolerated. Kumar urged parents not to panic, saying the government stood with their children, and ordered surprise inspections of mid-day meal arrangements across the district along with hygiene training for cooks.
Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari reacted strongly, directing the Nalanda District Magistrate to register an FIR immediately. He said those responsible for mixing detergent powder in children’s food would not be spared and should be sent to jail. The minister also ordered action against any mid-day meal staff found negligent.
Nalanda District Education Officer Hemchandra, however, dismissed claims that detergent had been mixed into the food. He said a detailed investigation was under way and the actual cause would be known only after the medical report from the hospital. Strict departmental and legal action would follow against anyone found responsible, he added.
District officials said samples of the meal would be examined. The centralised kitchen supplies food to around 23,000 children in 206 schools across three blocks. Initial reports indicated that salt and detergent containers had been kept in the same area of the school kitchen, contributing to the mix-up.
All 34 children were reported healthy and free of adverse effects after treatment. Authorities have stressed that the mid-day meal programme remains a priority and that safety protocols will be tightened to prevent any recurrence. An inquiry is continuing to establish the exact sequence of events and fix accountability.
