Video

Arwal’s mid-day meal scare comes amid a string of food-safety involving Bihar’s school meals

Just a day earlier, more than two dozen students in Nalanda reportedly fell ill after eating a mid-day meal. Officials said an inquiry would examine allegations that detergent was mistakenly used instead of salt. Last month, more than 100 students in Supaul also fell ill after consuming a school meal, with students alleging that a dead scorpion was found in the curry. Authorities ordered an investigation into the incident. These incidents involve different circumstances and do not by themselves establish a common cause. But together, they raise a basic question: are the checks meant to ensure safe meals for children actually working on the ground?