Worms found in school midday meals in Bihar, Education Department orders probe

Worms were reportedly found in a soybean dish supplied as part of midday meals to 75 schools in Arwal's Sadar block. Headmasters stopped serving the food, while the Education Department ordered an investigation.Worms found in midday meals at Arwal schools; Education Department orders probe against NGO A case of alleged negligence in the supply of midday meals came to light in Bihar's Arwal district on Tuesday after worms were reportedly found in a soybean dish supplied to 75 schools in the Sadar block. The midday meals are supplied to the 75 schools through an NGO. On Tuesday, the NGO delivered meals to the concerned schools as usual. However, during inspection, worms were spotted in the soybean dish.Following the discovery, school headmasters stopped the meal from being served to the children. As a result, students present at the schools were left without their mid-day meal that day.HEADMASTERS REPORT INCIDENTIsmat Ara, Headmistress-in-charge of Primary-cum-Middle School Umairabad, informed the District Programme Officer (Mid-Day Meal) about the incident through a formal application.In her complaint, she reported that worms were found in the soybean dish supplied to the school. The food was therefore not served to the children. Similar complaints were also submitted by the headmasters of Adarsh Vidyalaya Ahiyapur and Government Middle School Sakri Ibrahimpur. They too reported finding worms in the mid-day meals supplied to their schools.EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROMISES ACTIONDistrict Education Officer Asgar Ali acknowledged the reports of worms being found in the mid-day meals. He said the matter is being investigated.Ali assured that action would be taken against the concerned NGO if negligence is established.- EndsPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 11:11 IST