Dahod, Gujrat: At least 60 students of a girls residential school in Mandor Lukhadia village, Dahod district, fell ill after consuming a meal suspected of causing food poisoning. The incident triggered an urgent medical response and a formal investigation by local authorities.
According to initial reports, the students started showing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea shortly after eating. Around 12 students were first admitted to Limkheda Government Hospital for treatment. As more students reported similar symptoms during the night, they were also rushed to the hospital via ambulance.
Doctors confirmed that all students are currently in stable condition, attributing this to timely medical intervention. “No severe complications have occurred, but the incident raises serious concerns about food safety in residential schools,” said a hospital official.
Senior district officials and food safety inspectors visited the hospital late at night to assess the situation. The district administration, along with the Food Department, has launched an investigation into the incident. Samples of the evening meal have been collected for laboratory analysis.
The school, which accommodates hundreds of girls from nearby tribal communities, has previously been a focus of welfare programs.
In a related incident on June 18, 25 children fell ill in Bhawani Nagar after consuming contaminated buttermilk, experiencing stomach upset and vomiting. They received prompt treatment, and an investigation was initiated.
These cases have led the state government and the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) to strengthen food safety measures. Between April 2024 and March 2025, FDCA seized over 351 tonnes of suspicious or substandard food items across Gujarat. Testing revealed that 1.45 percent of food samples did not meet safety standards.
District Health Departments have been instructed to conduct routine sampling of food and water. Local civic bodies are tasked with training kitchen staff in proper food handling and sanitation. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted in vulnerable areas to promote safe cooking and storage practices.
More details are awaited as the investigation continues.
(With inputs from IANS)
