Nearly two dozen primary school children in India, suffered from food poisoning after eating school lunch. The school lunch is part of a country-wide free lunch program, which was designed to keep attendance rates up, but it is drawing some criticism. Parents are rightfully concerned that their children’s health is being compromised. Many are concerned that there isn’t enough oversight over how the food is being prepared, leading to kids getting sick. Illness has become a recurring issue in the area lately. An investigation has been launched, and a school employee has been fired over the incident.
On January 29, 2026, over 20 students showed signs of food poisoning after eating curry that was left over from a village festival and reheated, CNN News 18 reported. Students began experiencing stomach aches, diarrhea, and vomiting, prompting the school to immediately stop serving the food.
Teachers rushed the students to Government General Hospital in Khammam, Telangana Today reported. Parents were informed about what happened, and went to the hospital to meet their children. The students who were hospitalized were listed in stable condition after treatment.
Dr M Vasantha Rao DMHO visited AH Narayankhed on 29-01-26 to review the condition of children admitted due to food poisoning. The affected children are students of the Primary School, Venkatapur (V). He inspected the treatment being provided and interacted with the medical staff. pic.twitter.com/hUBS9ZOGSN
— DMHO SANGAREDDY (@dmho_sangareddy) January 29, 2026
“Some 22 students were hospitalised after consuming sambar and rice this afternoon,” local broadcaster NCTV quoted a police officer saying, via The Independent. “They experienced symptoms like stomach pain and were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment.”
According to The Independent, 42 children ate the tainted food. Authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the food poisoning. One of the staff members involved in preparing the food has been fired.
A show cause notice has been issued to the school’s principal by the District Educational Officer for allegedly not properly supervising the preparation of lunch.
Mandal Parishad primary school in Telangana, is one of the many programs across the country that participates in a free school lunch program. According to Telangana Today and CNN News 18, it was the second school in the area to have a food poisoning outbreak that week.
The illnesses are prompting parents to demand the State take more precautions to ensure children at government schools don’t continue getting sick.
