25 students taken ill after breakfast in Noida school
NOIDA: At least 25 students of a private school in Noida Sector 132 suffered food poisoning on Thursday after allegedly eating breakfast at the school canteen.
Four students of Step by Step School were rushed to Jaypee Hospital in Sector 128 and three taken to Max Hospital in Noida Sector 19, sources said.
Sanjay Sharma, food inspector, Gautam Budh Nagar, said the students had eaten ‘ajwain parantha’ and ‘lassi’ at the school canteen in breakfast. “The school management had brought in a team of doctors from a private hospital to treat the kids on the school campus. We have not been able to contact the school administration but we have visited the canteen and collected the oil and ajwain (carom seeds) which were used to make the paranthas,” Sharma said.
School sources said dozens of children had complained of nausea and stomach ache after consuming the breakfast.
After the incident came to light, the school allegedly stopped a team of administration from entering the school campus in order to probe the matter. Taking cognizance, the district magistrate has ordered an inquiry.
“We have taken food samples from the canteen. The 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 the allegations that the food inspection team were not allowed to perform their duty,” said BN Singh, district magistrate, GB Nagar.
The school said only ”some students” had fallen ill and the reason is not clear. Although the school didn’t specify the exact number of affected students, the management suspended the services of its caterer as of now.
“Some students suffered mild to severe stomach ache while some others vomited. The cause of the problem is not clear. A team of doctors from Max Hospital was called immediately to provide medical attention to the 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 safely with their parents. The services of Sodexo, the food service provider has been suspended pending inquiry,” said Dr Mahesh Prasad, principal, Step by Step School.
Sodexo officials could not be reached for a comment.
Situated in sector 132, Step by Step is a popular school where kids are offered breakfast and lunch at the school canteen.
On December 8, 2016, an additional divisional magistrate court of Gautam Budh Nagar had slapped a fine of ₹6,25,000 on a private catering company and ₹25,000 on the then canteen manager of the school for providing poor quality ‘sherbet’ to students.
The Jaypee Hospital management said four students of the school came for treatment at 5pm with their parents. Max Hospital confirmed three students admitted in the “afternoon hours” for treatment of food poisoning.
Meanwhile, All Noida School Parents Association said they will take up the matter with the divisional commissioner.