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Over 300 students fall sick after eating mid-day meal in Bihar school, probe ordered
Approximately 300 students at a government middle school in Saharsa, Bihar, fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal. Officials launched a probe, collected a meal sample, and promised legal action against the NGO supplying the meal and school management as some students were treated and later kept under observation.
Why It Matters
The incident raises concerns about food safety in mid-day meal programs and the accountability of NGOs delivering meals in schools.
Timeline
9 Events
Earlier incidents involving NGO’s MDM in Saharsa highlighted
May 7, 2026
Officials note that this is not the first incident and there have been serious complaints about the NGO's MDM in the district.
School claims NGO supplied MDM; school not responsible
May 7, 2026
School authorities said the MDM was supplied by an NGO and that the school is not responsible; the headmaster Vikash Kumar was on leave.
Children treated; some shifted to district hospital; DM monitors situation
May 7, 2026
Children undergoing treatment at health centres are reported to be out of danger; some were shifted to Saharsa district hospital. The district magistrate visited the PHC to monitor the situation.
Show-cause notices to officials discussed by DEO
May 7, 2026
The DEO indicated that show-cause notices would be served to concerned officials, including the school headmaster, while a decision on action is pending.
NGO behind MDM under scrutiny; past complaints noted
May 7, 2026
Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar Dalit Utthan Avom Shiksha Samiti, which supplies MDM in Saharsa, had come under fire previously; officials say there are serious complaints about the NGO's MDM in the district.
Parents allege dead snake found in the meal
May 7, 2026
Parents who reached the school after the illnesses alleged that a dead snake was found in the MDM.
DEO takes MDM sample for examination
May 7, 2026
District Education Officer Hemchandra said a sample of the MDM was taken for examination as part of the investigation.
DM orders FIR against NGO and school, probes to be setup
May 7, 2026
District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar visited the Mahishi PHC and directed the DEO to lodge an FIR against the NGO supplying the MDM and the school management, announcing that a probe team would be formed to investigate the matter.
Mid-day meal incident at Middle School Baluaha sickens about 300 students
May 7, 2026
Around 10 am, about 300 students of government Middle School Baluaha fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal (MDM). They reported stomachache and nausea and were taken to Mahishi Primary Health Centre; some were later shifted to Saharsa district hospital. The school has around 600 enrolled students.