72 school children suffer from food poisoning in Surat

As many as 72 children of a primary school suffered from food poisoning after drinking milk served under the Mid-day Meal scheme in Ucchal taluka of Tapi district in Surat today, police said.

The incident took place at Gavan village of Ucchal after milk was distributed to students of government primary school, they said.

According to police, shortly after consuming milk, students complained of vomiting and loose motion, following which they were rushed to local government hospital.

"Primarily it is a case of food poisoning, which happened after consuming the milk. We have collected samples of water and milk and any further action can be initiated only after lab report is received," Dr Amit Bhambore at the hospital said.

Those whose condition was critical were admitted for treatment while other children were discharged after primary treatment, health officials said.

Tapi district health officials said that samples of the milk supplied under the mid-day meal scheme in the school have been sent to forensic science laboratory for testing.

An inquiry has been ordered into the incident by the district administration, while a complaint has been registered at the local police station, police said, adding further investigation in the matter was on.