25 students in hospital after having toxic mid day meal

Noida: At least 25 students were admitted to the hospital after they consumed toxic mid day meal lunch provided at Step by Step school in sector 132 of Noida on Thursday afternoon. Police reacted to the matter but the school administration didn't cooperate with the police upon which an FIR was filed by the directions of the district magistrate Noida against the school under relevant sections of IPC.

According to reports, around seven students were admitted to the hospital in serious condition out of the total 25 students who were immediately rushed to the nearby hospital after they reported severe stomach ache and vomiting.

According to a senior administration officer, the incident took place after kids from the school had their mid day meal and fell ill and complained of stomach cramps and vomiting. Later, the kids were reported of suffering from food poisoning.

"The incident came to light after a parent from the hospital raised this issue. We sent a team to probe the matter, but the school management reportedly stopped us from entering the school campus. Following which we have given a complaint against the school and further probing the matter," said BN Singh, District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar.

The magistrate further said that as they got the chance to enter the school they took the samples from the school canteen and sent them for inspection. "We have taken food samples from the canteen for testing and its report will be out soon. We are trying to contact the school administration as of now. Strict action will be taken against the school if found that they had deterred the food inspection team from doing their duty," said Singh.

However, the school administration stated that some of the students at our school have had mild to severe stomach ache and some have had vomiting after consuming lunch. It is unclear as to the cause of the apparent problem. A team of doctors from Max Hospital were called in immediately to provide medical attention to affected students.

"Parents of those affected have been kept informed and necessary steps are being taken for the well-being of all students. A few students who wanted to go home were sent home safely with their parents. Step by Step takes the well-being of its students and staff very seriously, and all necessary steps are being taken to investigate possible causes," said Dr Mahesh Prasad, principal of Step By Step school, Noida.

Prasad further said that the services of Sodexo, the food service provider has been suspended pending inquiry.

Police have registered an FIR under sections 328 ( Causing hurt by means of poison), 341(Punishment for wrongful restraint) and 332(Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) against the school management.