DEAD SNAKE FOUND IN INDIAN SCHOOL MEALS

An investigation

has been launched after more than 100 children fell ill after eating a school lunch. Shortly before serving the lunch, a dead snake was found in the food but the cook still went ahead and served it.

The incident took place in the city of Mokama in the eastern state of Bihar where these type of meals are widely served at schools.

Known as Mid-Day Meals, they’ve been given to children from poor backgrounds since first introduced in 1925. It’s one of the biggest feeding schemes in the world with the sole aim of combatting hunger and boosting school attendance.

Unfortunately, poor food hygiene has been a top complaint when it comes to these meals.

Now, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is investigating the matter.

According to the NHRC, about 500 children were served the meal.

“The commission has observed that the contents, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the students,” it said.

The NHRC demanded a detailed report from senior state officials with a two-week deadline. The “health status of the children” is also required.

This isn’t the first time that a Mid-Day Meal has been the cause of protests. In 2013 also in the Bihar state, 23 children died after highly toxic levels of a pesticide were detected by scientific tests.

Image credit: Sabrang India