Over 100 children fall ill after dead snake reportedly found in Indian school meal

More than 100 children fell ill after consuming a school lunch where a dead snake was allegedly found, prompting India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate possible food safety and human rights concerns.

On April 24, at Utkramit Madhya Vidyalaya in Mekra village, Mokama, Bihar, a government school served its mid-day meal to about 500 students. According to The Times of India and BBC News, a dead snake was reportedly found in either the rice or the rice-and-potato curry. The cook reportedly removed the snake and served the meal anyway, despite concerns raised by students and staff. Within hours, more than 100 children reported symptoms including vomiting and dizziness, with at least 24 hospitalized at Mokama Trauma Center and Barh Sub-divisional Hospital.

Outraged parents and villagers blocked National Highway 31 in protest. Some reports, including Business Standard, allege that teachers locked the school and fled, leaving police to transport children to hospitals. The NHRC launched an investigation on its own initiative (suo motu cognizance), issuing notices to Bihar’s chief secretary and Patna’s senior superintendent of police. The agency has requested a detailed report within two weeks, including updates on the children’s health, according to an NHRC press release.

Officials deny link between food and illness
Barh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shubham Kumar denied that the food was contaminated, stating that an initial investigation found no evidence linking the meal to the illnesses. According to The Times of India, medical reports showed no traces of poisonous substances, and Kumar suggested heat or superstition may have caused the symptoms. This contradicts accounts from villagers and parents, who attributed the illnesses to the meal, citing the presence of the dead snake. The exact cause of the illnesses remains unclear pending the NHRC’s final report, which may include laboratory analysis of the meal.

History of safety failures in mid-day meal program

This is not the first food safety crisis linked to school meals in Bihar. The mid-day meal scheme, formalized nationally in 1995, is the world’s largest free school lunch program, serving millions of children to combat hunger and boost attendance. However, it has faced repeated criticism over poor hygiene standards. In 2013, twenty-three children in Bihar died after eating a lunch contaminated with pesticides, BBC News reported.

Health risks from consuming snakes
According to food safety experts, dead snakes can carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium, which can cause foodborne illness. Parasites like Spirometra or improper handling may also pose risks, particularly to children. While cooking typically neutralizes snake venom, bacterial contamination could still cause illness if the food is not properly prepared.

NHRC investigation ongoing
The NHRC’s inquiry, with a report expected by mid-May, will investigate whether food safety standards were breached and if human rights violations occurred, including the health status of the affected children. This incident follows several others in Bihar, including three incidents in 2023 that left more than 225 children hospitalized after consuming contaminated school meals, according to Down to Earth.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)