Students Hospitalised After Detergent in Bihar School Meal

At least 34 girl students at a government school in Bihar's Nalanda district fell ill on August 18, 2026, after detergent powder was mistakenly added to their midday meal instead of salt. The incident occurred at the Middle School in Parasi village, prompting a hospital response and a government inquiry into food safety lapses.

According to school principal Shailendra Kumar Singh, the mix-up happened during the second round of serving. Students had complained that the soybean rice meal, supplied by an NGO, lacked salt. A cook allegedly picked up a container of washing powder kept near the salt and added it to the food. Other children then asked for the same seasoning. Soon after eating, students began experiencing dizziness, vomiting, and stomach or throat pain.

The affected children were given initial first aid at the school before being transported to Biharsharif Sadar Hospital for further treatment. Civil Surgeon Dr. Jay Prakash Singh visited the hospital and confirmed that all the students were out of danger and stable. By the latest update, the children had been released after treatment with no reports of significant ongoing health issues.