Mid-day meal sickens a dozen students in Bihar's Saharsa, inquiry ordered
Synopsis
A dozen schoolchildren in Bihar's Saharsa fell ill after eating an NGO-supplied mid-day meal, with an unconfirmed allegation that a chameleon was found in the food. With samples sent for lab testing and a joint inquiry under way, the incident reignites longstanding concerns about food safety oversight in Bihar's school nutrition programme.
Key Takeaways
Around 12 students at Upgraded Middle School, Vasudeva , in Saharsa, Bihar , fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal on 12 September .
Affected children were taken to Bariyahi Primary Health Centre and are under medical supervision.
The mid-day meal is supplied by an NGO ; the Education Department has sent food samples to a lab for testing.
An allegation that a chameleon was found in the food has emerged but remains unconfirmed by authorities.
The Health Department deployed a team to monitor the situation and is tracking the health of other students at the school.
Around 12 students fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal at Upgraded Middle School, Vasudeva, in Saharsa district, Bihar, on Saturday, 12 September. The affected children were taken to Bariyahi Primary Health Centre for treatment, while health officials and the local administration launched an inquiry into the cause.
What Happened at the School
According to an Education Department official, the mid-day meal at the school is supplied by an NGO. Some students reportedly began feeling unwell shortly after eating. As word spread, a large number of parents and villagers rushed to the school to check on the children, and school authorities subsequently ensured the affected students received medical attention.
The Chameleon Allegation
Amid the incident, an allegation emerged that a chameleon was found in the mid-day meal. However, there is no official confirmation of this claim so far. Officials have stated that the allegation will be established only after food samples and other evidence are examined. Investigators are looking into whether the meal was contaminated or whether another issue with the food caused the illness.
Samples Sent for Lab Testing
The Education Department has collected samples of the mid-day meal and dispatched them to a laboratory for testing. The Health Department also deployed a team to monitor the situation on the ground. The health of all other students at the school is being tracked to ensure prompt medical assistance if any further symptoms emerge.
Investigation Under Way
The administration and concerned departments are conducting a joint inquiry. Officials said the exact cause of the students falling ill will become clear only after the investigation and laboratory testing are completed. All affected students are currently receiving treatment under medical supervision and their condition is being monitored.
This incident adds to a pattern of mid-day meal safety concerns reported from Bihar schools in recent years, raising renewed questions about food quality and supply-chain accountability in the state's school nutrition programme.
Point of View
Pointing to structural gaps in supply-chain oversight and on-site food quality checks. The involvement of an NGO supplier, rather than in-school preparation, shifts accountability in ways that state audit systems have historically struggled to track. The unverified chameleon allegation, however lurid, risks distracting from the harder systemic question: why do lab tests and official inquiries routinely follow incidents rather than prevent them? Until random, unannounced quality audits of NGO-supplied meals become the norm, these episodes will keep repeating.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Upgraded Middle School in Saharsa, Bihar?
Around 12 students fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal at Upgraded Middle School, Vasudeva, in Saharsa district on 12 September. The affected children were taken to Bariyahi Primary Health Centre for treatment, and an inquiry has been launched.
Was a chameleon really found in the mid-day meal?
An allegation that a chameleon was found in the food has emerged, but authorities have not officially confirmed it. Officials say the claim will be verified only after food samples and other evidence are examined by investigators.
Who supplies the mid-day meal at this school?
According to the Education Department, the mid-day meal at Upgraded Middle School, Vasudeva, is supplied by an NGO. Investigators are examining whether the supply chain or food preparation process led to the contamination.
What steps have authorities taken after the incident?
The Education Department collected samples of the mid-day meal and sent them to a laboratory for testing. The Health Department deployed a monitoring team, and the administration launched a joint inquiry. The health of all other students at the school is also being tracked.
What will happen next?
The cause of the illness will be determined after laboratory test results are received and the ongoing investigation is completed. Officials have indicated that action on the chameleon allegation will also follow evidence review.
