27 schoolchildren fall ill after mid-day meal in Kota

Twenty-seven students at a government school in Pooniya Devaria village, Ranpur block of Kota district, reported falling ill shortly after consuming their mid-day meal on Monday. The children experienced symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness.

Fourteen of the affected students were admitted to New Medical College Hospital in Kota for further care and observation. Hospital authorities reported that the children's conditions have since improved, though investigations into the cause of the illness are ongoing.

Mid-day meal schemes, a flagship nutrition programme in Indian schools, have periodically faced scrutiny over food safety and hygiene standards. The incident has prompted renewed focus on quality control measures at school meal preparation facilities in the region.

Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine whether contamination or improper handling of food ingredients, particularly vegetables used in Monday's meal, led to the outbreak. The school administration has temporarily suspended meal services pending completion of the investigation and clearance from health officials.