Snake in Mid-Day Meal Sickens 100+ Bihar Students; NHRC Acts"

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A dead snake was discovered in a cooking pot at a government school in Mokama, but the cook removed it and served the meal anyway to 500 children.

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Over 100 children developed vomiting and dizziness after eating the contaminated meal, with 24 requiring hospitalization

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National Human Rights Commission issued notices to Bihar's Chief Secretary demanding a detailed report within two weeks.

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Medical tests have found no traces of toxins in the children's systems, but snake tissue can introduce harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Clostridium.

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This marks the fifth snake-related contamination in Bihar's school meal program, following similar incidents in 2023, 2017, and 2014.

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Who is responsible for ensuring food safety protocols are followed in schools serving 100 million children daily?

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Ministry guidelines require teacher tasting, 65°C serving temperature, and AGMARK-certified ingredients

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Bihar has a 42% childhood stunting rate, making nutritious school meals crucial for development and education.

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What happens to the 100 million children who depend on these meals when safety is compromised?

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Villagers blocked National Highway 31 in protest, demanding accountability after years of similar incidents.

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While the investigation continues, will anything actually change to prevent the sixth such incident?

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