Girls Fall Ill in Medak School After Eating Idlis
Parents protest poor food hygiene, demand strict action, probe underway.
Hyderabad: At least 30 students from the Integrated Girls Residential School in Kowdipalle mandal, Medak, fell ill after consuming idlis served for breakfast on Sunday morning. The school hostel is about 10 minutes from the Kowdipalle Primary Health Centre (PHC).
According to health officials, the girls began experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain shortly after breakfast. They walked to the nearby PHC, where they received immediate medical attention. “All the students are stable and recovering well. The situation is under control,” a health official said.
The incident came to light when the students informed their parents, who rushed to the hostel in concern. Tensions rose when parents questioned the hostel warden about the quality of food served. The warden’s dismissive response further angered the parents.
Several girls alleged that poor quality food is served regularly, with hair strands often found in the rice. Officials from the health department visited the school to investigate the cause of the food contamination. A medical camp is currently underway on the premises. Parents have demanded strict action against those responsible and called for better monitoring of hostel kitchens.
The incident has renewed concerns over food safety and hygiene standards in residential schools, especially those catering to tribal and marginalised communities. When contacted a month ago, after junior college students in Kuntloor raised similar complaints, Food Safety commissioner R.V. Karnan said that inspections in educational institutions would be carried out after exams concluded. However, no action has been taken so far to strengthen food safety norms in schools.
