Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Detergent Mistaken For Salt Sickens Dozens Of Bihar Schoolchildren
Children at a school in Bihar became sick after eating their midday meal.
The meal included rice and a soybean-based dish.
The headmaster said a cook accidentally used detergent instead of salt.
This happened after students said the food did not have enough salt.
Reports said the salt and detergent may have been stored near each other.
The children developed symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness and stomach pain.
They first received help at school.
They were then taken to a hospital in Biharsharif.
Officials said they were out of danger and promised an investigation.
Thirty-four students in one official account, or at least 36 girls in other reports, fell ill after eating a school meal.
The incident occurred Tuesday at Middle School, Parasi, in Nalanda district’s Noorsarai area.
The headmaster said a cook mistakenly added detergent powder instead of salt after students complained that the meal lacked salt.
Students reported vomiting, dizziness, throat irritation, burning sensations and stomach pain before being taken to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital.
Officials said the children were stable and out of danger, while an inquiry was promised into the meal-preparation lapse.
- Who
- Students at Middle School, Parasi; reports differed between 34 students and at least 36 girls.
- What
- Students fell ill after allegedly eating a midday meal containing detergent powder instead of salt.
- When
- Tuesday afternoon; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- Middle School, Parasi, in Nalanda district’s Noorsarai area, Bihar; treatment took place at Biharsharif Sadar Hospital.
- Why
- The headmaster said a cook mistakenly selected detergent after students requested more salt; officials said an inquiry and medical report would establish the circumstances and cause.
Family and Reported Accounts
Officials and School Response
Number of affected students
Family and Reported Accounts
Several reports said at least 36 girls fell ill, while another account said 34 students were affected, divided equally between 17 girls and 17 boys.
Officials and School Response
Officials cited the figure of 34 students in one account and said the affected children were taken to hospital; the reports did not resolve the discrepancy.
Cause of the illness
Family and Reported Accounts
The headmaster said the cook mistakenly used detergent after students requested extra salt, and local residents said salt and detergent containers were reportedly kept near each other.
Officials and School Response
The District Education Officer said the actual cause would be established after the hospital’s medical report, while officials promised legal and departmental action if wrongdoing was found.
Emergency and hospital response
Family and Reported Accounts
Families alleged that no ambulance or medical team reached the school promptly, saying some children were transported in e-rickshaws and tempos; they also complained about crowded hospital beds.
Officials and School Response
Officials said the children received treatment and were out of danger. The Civil Surgeon assured families that better arrangements would be made at the hospital.
- Reportedly affected
- Thirty-four students in one district-official account, including 17 girls and 17 boys; other reports said at least 36 girls fell ill
- School
- Middle School, Parasi, in Nalanda district
- Meal
- Rice with a soybean dish; one report described soybean-potato curry, supplied through an NGO
- Alleged lapse
- Detergent powder was reportedly added instead of salt after students complained that the food lacked salt
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, dizziness, throat irritation, burning sensation and stomach pain
- Treatment
- First aid at the school followed by treatment at Biharsharif Sadar Hospital
- Official condition
- Civil Surgeon Jai Prakash Singh said the children were stable and out of danger
- Investigation
- Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar and district officials promised a detailed inquiry
Sources
Bihar: 34 students fall ill after being fed detergent instead of salt in midday meal
Serious Mid-Day Meal lapse in Bihar: Detergent added instead of salt, over two dozen children taken to hospital
36 Girl Students Fall Ill After Detergent Added To Mid-Day Meal In Bihar
Bihar: Schoolkids ask for extra salt, cook mistakenly gives them detergent. 34 land in hospital
Detergent In Place Of Salt In Mid-Day Meal, 36 Students Fall Ill At Bihar School