Food Poisoning Strikes 80 Students at Deoria School; Investigation Underway

Around 80 students from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Ashram Method Inter College in Mehroona village fell ill due to food poisoning, officials reported on Monday. The students experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea after having dinner on Sunday night.

District Magistrate Divya Mittal assured that the students are stable and an investigation is ongoing. "The students' condition is stable, and action will be taken against those found responsible," Mittal stated. Two students, Akash and Nitesh, are receiving treatment at Maharishi Devraha Baba Medical College, while others received primary care at the school.

Food Safety Inspection

Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety Vinay Kumar Sahay mentioned that a team from the Food Safety and Drug Administration inspected the school's kitchen and storage area. They collected seven samples, including bread, lentils, vegetables, chili powder, chickpeas, mustard oil, and mixed pickles. These samples were taken in the presence of the school's director, Rajkumar Gupta.

The samples have been sent to a food laboratory for testing. "Further action will be taken based on the results," Sahay said. A notice regarding deficiencies in storage and kitchen practices has been issued to the school.

Immediate Response

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vipin Kumar Dwivedi and Food Inspector Vipin Kumar Sahay arrived at the scene to assess the situation. Sahay noted that most students suffered from food poisoning, while some were affected by infectious diseases. The health department's investigation confirmed that all students are now in stable condition.

The government-run Ashram school has 326 enrolled students from classes six to 12. After dinner on Sunday night, some students began experiencing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, dizziness, and chills. The school management provided medication and advised rest until morning.

Medical Assistance

By Monday morning, around 80 students were affected and taken to a hospital for further treatment. A medical team led by the Chief Medical Officer provided primary care at the school itself. "All students are safe, and a medical team remains at the school as a precaution," an official statement said.

District Magistrate Mittal and Superintendent of Police Sankalp Sharma visited the medical college to check on the affected students. The authorities are committed to ensuring the well-being of all students involved in this incident.

Sources revealed that the illness was linked to poori and chhola served for dinner. The chhola was prepared earlier in the day and served again with poori in the evening, leading to food poisoning symptoms among the students.

The health department's investigation continues as they await lab results from the collected food samples. The authorities aim to identify any lapses in food safety protocols at the school to prevent future incidents.

The incident highlights the importance of strict adherence to food safety standards in educational institutions. Ensuring proper food handling and storage practices can prevent such occurrences and safeguard student health.