Bihar School Midday Meal Contaminated With Detergent; 34 Hospitalized

At least 34 children from Parsa Middle School in Bihar's Nalanda district were hospitalized on August 18, 2026, after consuming a midday meal contaminated with detergent powder.

Students reported a burning sensation and stomach pain after eating the meal, which was supplied by an NGO and allegedly served with detergent instead of salt by mistake.

Nalanda Civil Surgeon Jai Prakash Singh confirmed the children are in stable condition, while the District Education Officer has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.