Over 100 students in Mokama, India, became seriously ill after consuming contaminated midday meal lunches. This unwelcome event has caused widespread, justifiable panic about food safety in the nation’s school meal program. The horrifying accident that occurred on April 24th has already sent two dozen children to the hospital. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) responds. Above, they are answering to coverage by local media, including their state media outlet, CNN affiliate CNN News 18.
The NHRC reported that a school cook served the meals after allegedly removing the remains of a dead snake from the food. The discovery of this terrible mistake has led to an immediate investigation into how the students’ meals were actually supplied. The NHRC further found that if the reports are accurate, it constitutes a gross violation of students’ human rights. This would be really ground-breaking for their health and safety!
India runs the world’s largest school meal programme, aimed at improving nutrition and increasing school enrolment of vulnerable children. This latest news shines a light on continuing food safety issues in the program.
In 2013, the worst incident came in the form of tainted school lunches, which killed 23 children. They succumbed to pesticide poisoning. In the wake of that accident, the federal government took action to make school kitchens safer. Regardless of these efforts, incidents like Mokama’s still happen. Yet, together they raise serious questions about just how effective these safety protocols are.
The NHRC underscored the importance of robust health and safety standards for food preparation. They underscore the positive effect this can have on children’s health, safety and overall well-being.
“Reportedly, the cook served the food to the children after removing a dead snake from it.” – National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
“If true, [this incident] raises a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the students.” – National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
