Students, teachers fall ill after eating school canteen food

GURGAON: More than 60 students and 10 teachers of Shiv Nadar School fell ill on Thursday after having lunch at the school cafeteria. 

Some students complained of uneasiness, dizziness and stomachache while boarding the bus to go home, around 3.30pm. A few also started vomiting. While some of them were rushed to the school's in-house dispensary for treatment, most of the students were taken to various private hospitals by their parents. Their condition is now stable. 

Students and teachers reportedly had sandwiches and dalia for breakfast, and rice, mixed vegetables, dal and rotis for lunch. A parent, who does not wish to be named, told TOI, "It appears to be a case of food poisoning. My son complained of dizziness and uneasiness as soon as he returned from school. He has recovered now. From now on, we plan to pack his breakfast and lunch." 

A teacher, on condition of anonymity, confirmed, " There seems to be an issue with the food, as I experienced severe stomachache an hour after lunch. Most of the students who complained of stomachache and vomiting are from Grade 1 to Grade 6." 

The case came to the fore when a parent sent an email to deputy commissioner T L Satyaprakash on Thursday night, following which he asked the health department to collect food samples from the school canteen. District food safety officer D K Sharma and his team collected samples from the school on Friday. " We inspected the kitchen and collected samples of rice, wheat flour, sauce, curd, sambar dal, and sent them to a laboratory," said Sharma. 

Satyaprakash said, " I have recommended that a committee be formed comprising three to four parents. We will take action as per the recommendations of the committee. We have requested the principal to consider recommendations of the parent teachers' association as well. Regarding the contamination, the food safety department is looking into the case." 

Some parents alleged 20 more students fell sick once again on Friday. While school authorities admitted that 60 students had fallen ill on Thursday, they refused to accept that any student complained of food poisoning on Friday. The school also rubbished claims that any teachers fell ill on Thursday. 

In a media statement, a school official said, " A private caterer, Caterman Private Ltd, is responsible for operating the kitchen in the school canteen. We always keep a check on the quality of food, and regularly get food samples tested in an accredited laboratory. Besides, a food committee comprising teachers also checks the food for quality before serving it to students." 

In an email sent to parents, the principal of Shiv Nadar School wrote, " It has been distressing for us to hear that the students have been unwell. We are investigating the matter and will file a report soon."