Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Five Children Fall Sick After Suspected Anganwadi Food Poisoning
Five children became sick after eating lunch at an Anganwadi centre in Kistaram.
The meal included rice, red gram and leafy vegetables.
They were taken to a government hospital in Khammam.
The incident happened on Tuesday but was reported publicly on Thursday.
The children's parents said the doctors found unusual ECG readings.
They also said the hospital would not let the children leave for treatment at private hospitals.
An official said the children would receive the best possible treatment.
She also promised an investigation and action if staff were responsible.
Five children at Anganwadi Centre-3 in Kistaram fell sick after eating rice with red gram and leafy-vegetable curry.
The children were taken to the Government General Hospital in Khammam for treatment.
The incident occurred on Tuesday but became public on Thursday, with staff and officials accused of keeping it secret.
Parents said doctors reported abnormal ECG readings and would not discharge the children for transfer to private hospitals.
ICDS official K. Sathyavathi promised medical support and an inquiry, with action against responsible staff.
- Who
- Five children from Anganwadi Centre-3 in Kistaram; their parents, hospital doctors and ICDS officials were involved.
- What
- The children fell sick after eating rice with curry prepared from red gram and leafy vegetables, in a suspected food-poisoning incident.
- When
- The incident occurred on Tuesday and came to light on Thursday, three days later.
- Where
- Anganwadi Centre-3 in Kistaram, Sathupally mandal, Bhadradri-Kothagudem district; the children were treated at the Government General Hospital in Khammam.
- Why
- The reported cause was suspected food poisoning after the children consumed the Anganwadi meal; the exact cause had not been established in the report.
Parents' Concerns
Officials' Response
Handling of the incident
Parents' Concerns
Parents and the report alleged that Anganwadi staff and officials kept the incident secret for three days.
Officials' Response
CDPO K. Sathyavathi said parents brought the matter to her notice on Thursday and promised an inquiry.
Medical treatment
Parents' Concerns
Parents said the children's ECGs showed abnormal readings and that the government hospital would not discharge them for transfer to private hospitals.
Officials' Response
Sathyavathi said measures would be taken to ensure the children received the best medical treatment.
Accountability
Parents' Concerns
The parents' concerns prompted demands for continued medical attention and scrutiny of the centre's food and handling.
Officials' Response
Officials said action would be taken against Anganwadi staff found responsible.
- Children affected
- Five
- Meal consumed
- Rice with curry made from red gram and leafy vegetables
- Initial location
- Anganwadi Centre-3, Kistaram
- Treatment location
- Government General Hospital, Khammam
- Reported medical concern
- Parents said doctors observed abnormal ECG readings
- Incident disclosure
- The incident occurred Tuesday and became known Thursday
- Official response
- An inquiry and possible action against responsible Anganwadi staff were announced