Sangareddy, Telangana: Twenty-two students were hospitalized after falling ill shortly after eating a government mid-day meal at a primary school in Venkatapuram village in Narayankhed Mandal of Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Officials said the children developed stomach pain and vomiting after consuming sambar rice served during lunch.
Authorities confirmed that teachers acted quickly once several children began showing signs of discomfort. All affected students were taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution. Doctors later said the children were in stable condition.
According to police and local officials, the students ate their afternoon meal at the government school and started complaining of nausea and abdominal pain within a short time. School staff immediately alerted authorities and arranged transport to the hospital when symptoms appeared in multiple children.
Parents rushed to the hospital after learning their children had been admitted. Families gathered outside the ward seeking updates while medical teams examined the students.
Reports said the meal consisted of sambar and rice prepared under the government mid-day meal programme. Around 40 students ate the same lunch, but only 22 required hospital treatment.
Hospital staff treated the children for suspected food-related illness and kept them under observation. Officials said the students responded well to treatment and many were expected to be discharged after monitoring.
Police confirmed that no critical cases were reported. Health teams continued observing the children through the evening of January 29 to ensure their condition remained stable.
District authorities began an inquiry into how the meal was prepared and served. Education and health officials inspected the school and collected food samples for testing.
Investigators are reviewing hygiene practices, food storage and cooking procedures linked to the mid-day meal system. Officials said action would follow if negligence is found.
The incident sparked concern among parents in Venkatapuram village, who demanded stronger oversight of school meals. Families asked officials to ensure stricter food safety checks so similar incidents do not happen again.
Local authorities assured parents that the investigation would remain transparent and that student safety remains the priority.
Officials in Sangareddy said nearby schools would also review meal preparation procedures following the incident.
(Rh/ARC)