Over 30 children hospitalized after contaminated food served at Bihar school

A mass food poisoning incident affected dozens of schoolchildren in Nalanda district on Monday, triggering alarm among parents and education authorities. The children, who consumed the midday meal provided under the government's nutrition scheme, were rushed to medical facilities after complaining of stomach ailments and nausea. Initial reports suggested a contaminant had been inadvertently mixed into the food preparation. The District Education Officer has since disputed claims regarding the specific nature of the contamination, stating that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the illness. Medical professionals attending to the hospitalized students confirmed that all cases were consistent with food poisoning. The children are responding well to treatment, with doctors reporting stable vital signs across the board. The incident has renewed scrutiny of food safety protocols at educational institutions across the state. School authorities have suspended midday meal services pending a thorough investigation and corrective action to prevent future occurrences. Officials are examining food storage conditions, preparation procedures, and ingredient sourcing at the affected institution.