60 children fall sick after consuming food in Punjab school cafeteria; probe initiated

The affected children complained of stomach pains and vomiting and were promptly taken to the hospital and are presently receiving medical care.

The contractor supplying food to the cafeteria has been held, and a probe led by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been initiated.

On Friday evening, 20 children from Meritorious School were admitted to the government hospital in Sangrur with stomach pains and vomiting.

Among them, 15 were released after treatment.

However, on Saturday, more children showed symptoms of food poisoning, resulting in over three dozen hospitalisations.

At the moment, nearly 50 children are under medical care in the hospital.

Primary examinations by doctors indicated that the students had eaten contaminated food, leading to food poisoning.

Authorities are investigating the matter, and food samples from the cafeteria have been gathered for further analysis, said the report.

The students alleged that they had seen worms in the hostel's food since Diwali and had reported the issue to their teachers, the report said.

Parents have called on authorities to take strict measures against the school, situated in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's home constituency.

They have accused the school officials of not ensuring the quality of the food served in school before it was provided to the children.

Post the incident, the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner has constituted several teams comprising members from the Health Department and the Education Department to investigate the issue.

These teams have been instructed to furnish a detailed report to the District Commissioner within a week.