Worm-Infested Rice Discovered in Karnataka's School Midday Meal Program Raises Health Concerns

Local authorities have committed to thoroughly investigating the situation.

Significant alarm has been raised regarding the nutritional standards of meals provided under the government's midday meal program in Koppal district, Karnataka, following the discovery of worms in rice distributed to government educational institutions.

On Tuesday, staff and students at a government school in Bisaralli village, Koppal taluk, identified worms in the rice intended for midday meal preparation. Previously, a comparable situation was discovered at a government educational facility in Muddenahalli village within Kushtagi taluk, intensifying worries about a systematic issue and possible health hazards for students.

According to officials, rice for the program is distributed from various storage facilities throughout the district, while additional components such as dal, oil, and spices are supplied by designated providers. Initial evaluations indicate that substandard rice and dal may have been furnished by contracted private suppliers.

Nevertheless, authorities have guaranteed that the matter will undergo investigation, with a comprehensive report to be presented to senior administrative officials.

Statistical data reveals that over 280,000 schoolchildren in Koppal district rely on the midday meal program daily. Parents have voiced concerns that compromised food quality could significantly impact children's health and overall wellness.

In response to these incidents, parents are calling for immediate quality inspections of both uncooked ingredients and prepared meals across all government schools in the district to prevent additional quality failures.

Addressing the situation, Hanumanthappa Hatti, President of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) in Ningapur, acknowledged that while isolated cases may have occurred, efforts are underway to maintain hygiene standards and food quality. He reassured parents that such incidents would not repeat, noting that officials had received instructions to implement corrective actions during a recent committee meeting.