Nalanda MLA Shrawon Kumar, who is also the Rural Development Department Minister, visited the Biharsharif Sadar Hospital and met the hospitalised children to inquire about their condition.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
At least 34 children of Parsa Middle School in Bihar’s Nalanda district fell ill after eating a midday meal on Tuesday, following allegations that detergent powder was served instead of salt “by mistake”.
The children complained of a burning sensation in their throats and stomach pain after eating the meal, triggering panic on the school premises. They were rushed to the government hospital in Biharsharif.
Nalanda Civil Surgeon Jai Prakash Singh said it was a case of food poisoning, adding, “The health condition of all the children is stable. All will be fine.”
Priti Kumari, one of the children hospitalised, told local media that the students were served rice along with a potato-soybean vegetable dish. She said she smelled detergent powder in the food after eating it. “Instead of salt, it seemed detergent powder was used in the food, leading to stomach pain. Many students became unconscious after eating the food.”
Rajveer Kumar, whose daughter Chandni Kumar was among those admitted at Biharsharif Sadar Hospital, Nalanda, said, “I got the information about the children being hospitalised after eating a mid-day meal. When I reached the hospital, I saw children were vomiting; many even collapsed.”
Detergent served by mistake: HM
School headmaster Shailendra Kumar Singh said that one of the cooks served detergent powder instead of salt “by mistake”.
“Of three cooks in the kitchen, one female cook was feeding the children. A few children demanded salt and, by mistake, the staff served detergent powder instead. The midday meal is supplied by an NGO,” Mr. Singh said.
However, Nalanda District Education Officer (DEO) Hemchandra categorically dismissed the claims by the children and their families that detergent had been mixed with the food.
He asserted that a thorough investigation is underway and that the actual cause of the children’s illness would only come to light once the medical report was received from the hospital. He warned that strict legal and departmental action would be taken against those found guilty.
Minister visits hospital
Nalanda MLA and Rural Development Department Minister Shrawon Kumar met the children at the hospital. He spoke to doctors about their health condition and directed officials to ensure they received the best possible treatment.
Mr. Kumar said a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine where the lapse occurred while the midday meal was being served. He assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty.
He asserted that there would be no compromise regarding the children’s health. Noting that the midday meal scheme is vital for both the nutrition and education of children, he stated that negligence in the matter would not be tolerated.
Mr. Kumar also urged parents not to panic. The Minister directed officials to conduct surprise inspections of midday meal arrangements in schools across the district and provide training on cleanliness and hygiene to cooks.
Published – August 19, 2026 11:16 am IST
