Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Nalanda Students Fall Ill After Detergent Enters Mid-Day Meal
At least 36 girls became sick after eating lunch at their school in Bihar.
The meal included soybean rice.
The students wanted more salt because the food did not have enough.
People said detergent powder was accidentally used instead of salt.
The children felt dizzy, had stomach pain and vomited.
They first received help at school.
They were then taken to a hospital for more care.
Doctors said the children were safe and stable.
Officials promised to investigate what went wrong.
At least 36 girls at a government middle school in Parasi, Nalanda, fell ill after eating a mid-day meal.
The meal was identified as soybean rice, reportedly prepared elsewhere or supplied by an NGO under the standard menu.
Students reportedly received detergent powder instead of salt after asking for more seasoning.
The students experienced symptoms including dizziness, stomach pain and vomiting before being taken to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital.
Officials said the children were stable and ordered an inquiry into the preparation and serving error.
- Who
- At least 36 girl students, school staff, doctors, Bihar Civil Surgeon Dr Jay Prakash Singh and Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar.
- What
- The students fell ill after reportedly consuming a mid-day meal in which detergent powder was mistakenly used instead of salt.
- When
- Tuesday, August 19.
- Where
- A government middle school in Parasi, in the Noorsarai police station area of Nalanda district, Bihar; the students were treated at Biharsharif Sadar Hospital.
- Why
- Local reports said salt and detergent were kept together, while another account said the meal was prepared elsewhere and detergent was added when students requested salt.
Official Account
Safety Advocates' Concerns
Immediate cause
Official Account
Officials and local reports described the incident as an apparent mistake involving detergent and salt during meal preparation or serving.
Safety Advocates' Concerns
Child rights advocates and experts viewed the incident as evidence of broader failures in kitchen organisation, storage and staff training.
Preventing recurrence
Official Account
Authorities said a detailed inquiry would determine how the alleged lapse occurred.
Safety Advocates' Concerns
Safety advocates called for stricter protocols, mandatory labelling and separate storage of food ingredients and cleaning products.
Mid-day meal scheme
Official Account
The scheme was described as an important welfare program that supports attendance, enrollment, retention and nutrition.
Safety Advocates' Concerns
Critics warned that contamination incidents can endanger children and undermine public trust in the program.
- Students affected
- At least 36 girls
- Meal
- Soybean rice served as part of the mid-day meal
- Reported mistake
- Detergent powder was reportedly used instead of salt
- Reported symptoms
- Dizziness, stomach pain and vomiting
- Treatment
- Initial first aid at school followed by treatment at Biharsharif Sadar Hospital
- Officials
- Civil Surgeon Dr Jay Prakash Singh and Bihar Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar visited the hospital
- Next step
- Authorities announced a detailed investigation into the preparation and serving of the meal
- Broader concern
- Advocates and experts called for better storage, labelling and training for school meal staff
