safety-at-school
What Was in Their Lunch? Over 70 Kids Get Sick After School Meal Chaos in Bihar!
Published: 10/02/26
Updated: 10/02/26
A routine school lunch turned into a terrifying health scare in Bihar’s Madhepura district, leaving parents, teachers, and officials scrambling for answers and raising serious questions about food safety in one of India’s most important child nutrition programmes.
What Happened
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, more than 70 children at the Upgraded Middle School in Karu Tola, located in the Madhepura Sadar block of Bihar, suddenly became sick after consuming their mid-day meal - a free lunch provided under a nationwide school nutrition programme.
Almost immediately after eating, students began showing worrying symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, and restlessness.
These symptoms spread quickly through the lunch line, creating panic on the school grounds.
Teachers and staff rushed the affected children to the Madhepura Sadar Hospital, where medical teams treated them. Most of the children were reported to be stable, but one girl was described as being in critical condition and under close observation.
Parents gathered at the school and hospital while local health officials began their assessment of what went wrong.
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What Could Have Been in the Meal? The Lizard Claim and Contamination Concerns
In the aftermath of the incident, locals and parents claimed that a lizard may have fallen into the food served to the children. This allegation, though unverified by official laboratory results, quickly spread through the village and sparked outrage.
In past incidents across Bihar, similar accusations involving foreign objects such as lizards or snakes being found in midday meals have surfaced, often highlighting hygiene lapses in food preparation at some schools.
Whether the cause this time was contaminated ingredients, improper food handling, pests in the kitchen area, or another factor entirely, the suspicion alone was enough to fuel widespread concern among parents and community members.
Immediate Response: Hospitals and an Investigation
Emergency responders acted rapidly. Children were transported to the hospital via ambulances and private vehicles, where doctors provided treatment and monitored their recovery.
Local authorities didn’t waste time either. The District Education Officer (DEO), Sanjay Kumar, announced that an official investigation was underway to determine the cause of the mass illness and to hold any responsible parties accountable.
Such probes typically include inspecting the kitchen facilities and testing food samples. Interviewing cooks and staff follows as part of the checkup.
Strict action, including legal and administrative consequences, was promised if negligence or misconduct is found.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme’s Importance
India’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme is one of the world’s largest school feeding programmes. It provides cooked lunches to millions of students every day, aiming to improve child nutrition, boost enrolment and attendance. It has helped reduce dropout rates.
Ensuring these meals are safe and nutritious is vital, especially for rural communities where children may rely on this lunch as their most substantial meal of the day.
When incidents like this happen, they not only risk children’s health but also shake public confidence in a programme designed to support their growth and education.
Calls for Better Hygiene and Monitoring
This incident has reignited public debate about food safety standards in schools, especially in regions where infrastructure and oversight can be challenging.
Experts and parents alike urge the following hygiene practices to be initiated on an immediate basis.
· Kitchen cleanliness and pest control
· Storage and handling of ingredients
· Regular health and safety inspections
· Training for cooks and support staff
Strengthening these areas could prevent similar episodes and restore trust in the lunch programme that plays such a crucial role in children’s daily lives.
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