Cook and Staff Suspended After Worms Found in Karnataka School Mid-Day Meals: Officials Take Swift Action

Officials confirmed that the cook and two staff members were suspended for negligence after worms were discovered in a mid-day meal served at government schools in Karnataka's Koppal district.

Following the concerning incident, the district administration took immediate action. Koppal Deputy Commissioner Suresh B Itnal personally inspected food supply godowns to evaluate storage conditions and the quality of food materials being distributed to schools.

During his inspections of multiple storage facilities, Itnal expressed significant displeasure with what he found. He directly challenged officials, questioning how such compromised food could be served to children and asking whether they themselves would consume meals of similar quality.

The Deputy Commissioner also visited a government school while mid-day meals were being served to assess the situation firsthand. At the government-aided school in Bisaralli village of Koppal taluk, he thoroughly examined the kitchen and food preparation areas, and engaged with students to gather their feedback regarding the quality of meals they regularly receive.

The inspection was conducted with the Block Education Officer (BEO) and other senior district officials present.

In an interview with NDTV, the Deputy Commissioner stated, "It was reported that a worm was found in the mid-day meal in Nurptuga-aided schools. Today, I visited the school and had lunch there. There was nothing wrong today. During the local inquiry, it was found that on December 9, a worm was detected in the dal. The dal was infected and should have been disposed of, but due to confusion and negligence, it was used."

He further explained that all three staff members—the cook and two subordinates—were suspended following the incident, which occurred due to their negligence.

"The dal bag was dispatched to the school in October. The staff were supposed to follow the standard operating procedures, which they failed to do. I have instructed teams to conduct inspections across district schools and create awareness about SOPs to ensure such incidents do not recur," the Deputy Commissioner added.

The discovery of worm-infested rice in midday meals has caused significant concern among parents in Koppal district.

The incident was first reported on Tuesday at a government school in Bisaralli village of Koppal taluk, where school staff and students found worms in rice intended for midday meal preparation. A similar incident had previously been reported at a government school in Muddenahalli village of Kushtagi taluk, raising concerns about recurring issues and potential health risks to students.

According to officials, rice for the mid-day meal scheme is supplied from various godowns throughout the district, while other ingredients such as dal, oil, and condiments are provided by designated agencies. Initial assessments indicate that private contractors may have supplied substandard rice and dal to the schools.