Food poisoning hits 97 girl students in Pune

At least 97 girl students of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)-run primary school number 5-G at Janata Vasahat, Parvati Paitha suffered food poisoning on Saturday after eating idlis served as mid-day meal. The students between age group of 7-10, complained of stomach pain, uneasiness and nausea immediately after eating the idlis from 1.30 pm to 2 pm. Of them, 80 students were admitted to Poona Hospital, 15 to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and one each to Chaitanya Hospital and Sahara Hospital.

Of the 508 students of the school, about 100 were served the idlis. The distribution stopped as students complained of sour taste and odour. The idlis had been prepared by Sai Mahila Vyavsay, a self-help group whose contract has now been suspended.

“The contract for mid-day meal at many PMC schools has been awarded to Savitri Bachatgat Mahasangh to which Sai Mahila Vyavsay is linked. We have blacklisted Sai Mahila Vyavasay and they will not get the contract to supply mid-day meals,’’ said Ramchandra Jadhav, PMC’s education officer. He added that teachers were to taste the food before serving and a separate inquiry was instituted to inspect if teachers had taken the precautions. Inspector Deepak Arve from Dattawadi police station said work of filing a formal case was going on.

Dr ST Pardeshi, PMC’s health department chief said the idli samples had been sent for testing to State Public Health Laboratory in Pune. “The report is expected in 24 hours,’’ he said.

The paediatric ward at Poona Hospital and Research Centre was a scene of chaos as parents, civic officials, police officers, politicians and their cronies as well as media persons blocked the narrow stairway leading to the ward. Arguments broke out between parents, civic officials and even police personnel who were restricting parents from entering the ward.

A total of 80 students had been admitted at the P ward on second floor that was packed beyond capacity. Later, 15 more students who came in were sent to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. “All girls are stable. This is case of mass food poisoning,’’ said pediatrician Dr Lalit Rawal.

Dr Kishore Pakhare, PMC’s assistant medical officer said, “Two students including Smita Badal (11) admitted to Chaitanya Hospital’s intensive care unit and Snehal Jadhav (12) at Sahara Hospital, are stable.’’

Meanwhile, allegations flew fast with acting headmistress Madhuri Khaire blamed her seniors for inaction against the self-help group despite repeated complaints. “Last year, during summer too, I had returned their food. I have told my seniors on several occasions that their food is sub-standard,’’ she claimed. Shubhangi Chavan, PMC’s deputy education officer, said no written complaint had been received.

SHG convenor Neelam Gholap said the summer heat and the tin shed of the school might have lead to contamination. “Usually the teachers taste food before serving,’’ she clarified.