Mid-day meal incident: 120 discharged from hospitals

PUNE: Barring 12 children, 120 students of the municipal school at Janata Vasahat in Parvati, who suffered food poisoning on Saturday, were discharged on Sunday. A total of 132 students were admitted to different hospitals on Saturday after they complained of vomiting and nausea after they ate food served under the mid-day meal scheme.
"Children who are still in the hospital are likely to be discharged on Monday," said city health chief S T Pardeshi of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
The Poona Hospital had admitted 85 students. "Barring three students, all the 82 children were discharged on Sunday," said paediatrician Lalit Rawal of the Poona Hospital and Research Centre.
The three children who are still under observation at hospital are likely to be discharged early on Monday, Rawal added.
"Two of the three students vomited even after they were administered medicines. Hence, they have been kept under observation for extended period
. One student complained of nausea and vomiting on Sunday, hence he was admitted to the hospital. He will be discharged tomorrow," Rawal said.
Total 29 students were admitted to the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and 18 to the Global Hospital.
Service provider didn't have FDA registration
The Sai Vyvasayik Gat, a self-help group that had been acting as a service provider to the civic-run school for mid-day meal, was found to be running the business without seeking the mandatory registration from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"We are going to issue a notice to the Sai Vyvasayik Gat for not seeking the mandatory registration. A penalty up to Rs 2 lakh can be slapped for this violation under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," said Chandrashekhar Salunke, joint commissioner (food), FDA. Besides, a fine up to Rs 1 lakh can be separately imposed for not adhering to the hygiene standards laid down in the Act for preparing food.
"The idlis, which were served to students, were prepared in unhygienic conditions," Salunke said. According to inspection report, the food was prepared under a tin-shed in a congested 8x12 room, which had less ventilation.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has suspended its contract with the Sai Vyvasayik Gat.