A police officer informed The New Indian Express that several students had noticed a foul smell emanating from the food served to them. Those who consumed the meal began to vomit and complained of stomach aches shortly afterward.
On Wednesday, June 5, ten students from S-Vyasa University experienced severe illness after consuming dinner at their hostel, situated in the Jigani police jurisdiction of the Bengaluru Rural district. The incident occurred when it was alleged that a rat had fallen into the vessel while the food was being cooked. A police officer informed The New Indian Express that several students had noticed a foul smell emanating from the food served to them. Those who consumed the meal began to vomit and complained of stomach aches shortly afterward.
The affected students, distressed by the incident, staged a protest against the hostel management. They claimed that the quality of food served to them on a daily basis was poor and often questionable. This incident only served to exacerbate their concerns about the overall food safety and hygiene standards maintained by the hostel management. The cook, however, defended the food preparation process, asserting that all necessary precautions and standard protocols were followed diligently.
In response to the uproar and the severity of the situation, the hostel management took immediate action by replacing the cook. Additionally, they sent samples of the food for testing to determine the exact cause of the contamination. This move was likely intended to reassure the students and their families that the management was taking their concerns seriously and working towards ensuring better food safety in the future.
This incident is reminiscent of another severe food poisoning case that took place earlier in the year. On March 22, five female students from the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) in Pembarthy village, Jangaon district, Telangana, were hospitalized with symptoms of food poisoning. Reports from The New Indian Express indicated that the girls had consumed a meal of rice with sambar and brinjal curry at their hostel mess. Following the meal, they began to suffer from vomiting and stomach pains, which led to their hospitalization. The warden of the institution reported the incident, highlighting the recurring issue of food safety in educational institutions.
These incidents underscore the critical need for stringent food safety measures and regular inspections in hostel kitchens. Ensuring the health and well-being of students must be a top priority, requiring consistent oversight and adherence to hygiene standards in all food preparation processes.