Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Detergent Mistaken for Salt in Bihar Mid-Day Meal
A school meal in Bihar accidentally contained detergent instead of salt.
The mistake made some people sick.
Thirty-four people were taken to the hospital.
The meal was supplied by the Ekta Shakti Foundation.
The foundation serves meals to about 23,000 children in 206 schools.
Two cooks and two teachers ate the meal before students did.
They were not among those affected, according to the report.
Officials collected food samples to find out more about what happened.
Thirty-four people were hospitalised after detergent was mistakenly used instead of salt in a Bihar mid-day meal.
The meal was supplied by Ekta Shakti Foundation across approximately 206 schools in the region.
The foundation provides mid-day meals to about 23,000 children.
Two cooks and two teachers reportedly ate the meal before it was served to students.
Meal samples were collected for examination as the investigation continues.
- Who
- Thirty-four people were hospitalised; the meal was supplied by Ekta Shakti Foundation.
- What
- Detergent was mistakenly used in place of salt in a mid-day meal.
- When
- Not specified in the report.
- Where
- Bihar, India; the specific district is not identified.
- Why
- The detergent was reportedly added to the meal by mistake instead of salt.
- People hospitalised
- 34
- Meal supplier
- Ekta Shakti Foundation
- Children served
- Approximately 23,000
- Schools covered
- 206
- Pre-service consumers
- Two cooks and two teachers
- Investigation
- Meal samples were collected for examination