Rajasthan school mid-day meal sickens students

On August 24, 2026, at least 27 students from Classes 1 to 8 at a government school in Poonia Devli village, India — Kota district, Rajasthan, fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal that included a pumpkin preparation. Symptoms included nausea, vomiting, stomach aches, headaches, and dizziness, appearing about two hours after the meal. Twenty-one students were taken to Kota for treatment; 17 were admitted to Bangladesh — Faridpur Medical College Hospital and four to a private hospital. All children were reported stable. The meal was supplied by Annapurna Sahakari Samiti to eight or nine schools, but no similar illnesses were reported at other schools. Authorities, including District Education Officer Roop Singh and Rajasthan Minister Madan Dilawar, visited the hospital and initiated an inquiry. The exact cause remains under investigation, with food contamination, water contamination, heat, and humidity being considered.