Detergent powder served as salt in mid-day meal, 40 students fall ill in Nalanda

40 students at Parasi Middle School in Nalanda fell ill after detergent powder was reportedly served instead of salt with the mid-day meal. The incident triggered panic among families and prompted treatment, monitoring and a promised inquiry.40 students of Parasi Middle School in Nalanda district fell ill after eating the midday meal in which detergent powder was served instead of salt on Tuesday. The students complained of stomach pain and vomiting and were rushed to Bihar Sharif Model Hospital for treatment. The incident took place in the area under Noorsarai police station during the mid-day meal. As news of the incident spread, worried parents rushed to the hospital.A large crowd gathered at the hospital, with family members anxiously waiting for updates on the condition of the children.'DETERGENT POWDER WAS MISTAKENLY GIVEN'According to a school teacher, the mid-day meal had been supplied by another school. The soybean vegetable served to the students reportedly did not have enough salt.“When the students asked for salt, detergent powder was mistakenly served instead of salt,” the teacher said. The students ate the meal without knowing about the mix-up. Soon after eating, several children began complaining of stomach pain and vomiting. As more students fell ill, the school authorities arranged for them to be taken to Bihar Sharif Model Hospital.Doctors at the hospital immediately began treating the affected students. Several doctors, including Nalanda Civil Surgeon Dr. Jai Prakash Singh, were present at the hospital and monitored the children. “All the children are safe and are receiving treatment,” Dr. Jai Prakash Singh said. He assured the families that the children were being closely monitored and that medical teams were taking all necessary steps to ensure their recovery.MINISTER VISITS HOSPITAL, ASSURES STRICT ACTION AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLEThe condition of the children caused panic among their families. Parents and relatives gathered outside the hospital, seeking information about their children. The hospital premises remained crowded as doctors and officials attended to the students.Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar also reached the hospital after learning about the incident. He met the affected students and reviewed the arrangements being made for their treatment.“We have directed the hospital management to ensure proper treatment for every child,” Shravan Kumar said. He added that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident.The minister also stressed the need for care in the preparation and serving of food to schoolchildren. The incident has raised questions about the handling and checking of ingredients used in the mid-day meal.One of the students, while describing the incident, said the children started feeling unwell after eating the food and several students complained of stomach pain and vomiting.The administration is now expected to examine how detergent powder was kept near food ingredients and how it was mistakenly served to the students. Officials are also likely to look into the system used for preparing and supplying the mid-day meal to the school.The Civil Surgeon said doctors were keeping a close watch on the affected students and that no child would be allowed to suffer due to a lack of medical care.With parents and officials still present at the Model Hospital, the immediate focus remains on the recovery of the students. Further action is expected once the authorities establish how the mistake occurred and fix responsibility for the incident.- EndsPublished By: Rishab ChauhanPublished On: Aug 18, 2026 22:12 IST