A dead lizard was found in mid-day meal offered at a government school in Maharashtra's Nanded on Saturday (June 1). Upon the consumption of the mid-day meal, 21 out of 86 students were rushed to hospital after their health deteriorated, reported news agency PTI. As of now, an update on the condition of the children is still being awaited. Issues with mid-day meals are not new as such incidents of contaminated meals surface every now and then.
PTI has shared a video from the school where this incident took place.
In another such instance, 36 students fell ill after a lizard was found in their mid-day meal at a government school in Bihar's Saran district. The lizard was discovered by one of the students on his plate.
The incident occurred on May 15 when the students received their mid-day meals at a government school. After getting the meal served on their plates, a student found the lizard on his plate and immediately informed the teacher-in-charge. Subsequently, the school discontinued the mid-day meal service.
The students who consumed the meal soon complained of health issues. They were immediately rushed to Sadar Hospital, where they underwent treatment and eventually got out of danger. Dr Santosh, Sadar Hospital, said, "The 36 students are now stable and are out of danger."
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sanjay Kumar Rai reached the hospital upon hearing this news in order to find out about the condition of the students. The SDM said, "Forty students had consumed the mid-day meal, of which 36 fell sick. Action will be taken against the NGO responsible for supplying the food to the students of the government school."
Headmaster of the school, Suman Kumari said, "The NGO brought the food for the mid-day meals to be given to the students. One student informed us that a lizard had been found on his plate. After that, the health of the 36 students started to deteriorate. We immediately rushed them to Sadar Hospital. They are doing fine now."