Potatoes and brinjal not cooked well, 22 students hospitalized

HYDERABAD: Twenty-two students from a government school in Maganur, Narayanpet district, were hospitalized after experiencing severe symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain and shivering.

The incident occurred after the students ate lunch served at the school. Some students also reported consuming snacks from nearby bakeries and shops earlier in the day. The District Education Officer (DEO) confirmed that food samples have been collected for laboratory analysis to determine the cause of the illness.

Reports suggest that the students, along with the school headmaster and teachers, consumed lunch prepared on the premises. However, only the students showed symptoms of food poisoning. One student alleged that improperly cooked potatoes and brinjal in the meal could have caused the illness.

This is not the first such incident at the school. On November 20, 17 students were hospitalized after consuming the midday meal. Parents have expressed their frustration, accusing school authorities of neglecting safety concerns and failing to address repeated complaints about food quality. Some parents cited previous incidents in other government schools where food poisoning led to fatalities, stressing the need for urgent preventive measures.

Narayanpet District Collector Sikta Patnaik issued a press release acknowledging the issue. “Initial investigations indicate that the students fell ill after consuming the school lunch. Last week, inspections were carried out across hostels and institutions in the district and outdated food items were removed. Further appropriate action will be taken,” the statement read.