Over 60 kids suffer from food poisoning after consuming mid-day meals in Kerala, probe begins

Thiruvananthapuram: A multi-department probe has been ordered into the food poisoning incidents reported from different schools and anganwadi (child-care centre) across the State.

More than 60 students were indisposed following suspected food poisoning cases reported from Kayamkulam, Kottarakara and Vizhinjam in southern Kerala in the last couple of days.

Health Minister Veena George has directed the Food Safety Commissioner and Women and Child Development Commissioner to submit a report on the food safety in schools and anganwadis (child-care centres).
The State departments of education, food safety, and  women and child development willl investigate.

Anganwadi worker Ushakumari Amma, helper S Sajinabeevi were suspended for using expired rice at anganwadi at Kalluvathukkal area within Kottarakkara Municipality.

Four children from the Kalluvathukkal nursery were admitted to a hospital on Saturday. It is suspected that the children suffered food poisoning after consuming the gruel made from old rice.

Out of the 12 kids in the anganwadi, several had exhibited symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea.

Parents of the sick students recovered a rice sack containing weevils from the centre's kitchen. The anganwai was closed down following their complaint.

36 down in Kayamkulam

Thirty-six students of an Upper Primary School in Kayamkulam Town were admitted to the taluk hospital after showing symptoms of food poisoning. All the students, except two, were discharged.  

Authorities suspect mid-day meal that was served in the school on Friday caused the trouble. Though over 500 students and teachers consumed the meal here, only a few were affected. 

Minister V Sivankutty has asked General Education Department Director K Jeevan to investigate the matter.

25 cases in Vizhinjam

On Friday, around 25 students had been diagnosed of food poisoning in Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram.

Though five students were admitted to the hospital briefly, they were discharged soon after.

The Food Safety Department has sealed the school's pantry were ingredients meant for the mid-day meal were stored. Various samples were collected by the authorities for testing.

"We need to find out whether the food poisoning happened inside the school or not. Also, we need to inspect whether the materials procured by the staff locally are of good quality or not," a senior official from the food safety department said.

Sources in the health department said the samples have been collected from both the places and testing will be conducted at the government food testing lab.