107 Bidanal Schoolchildren Fall Ill After Lizard Found in Mid-Day Meal in Mundaragi Taluk

A major food safety scare occurred at the Government Higher Primary School in Bidanal village of Mundaragi taluk, Gadag district, when 107 students fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal. The incident came to light after students were served uppittu (upma) prepared for breakfast, in which a dead lizard was subsequently discovered inside the salt container used for cooking. Shortly after eating, several children complained of severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, triggering panic among teachers and staff. Recognizing the severity of the situation, school authorities and local villagers acted swiftly to transport the affected children to the Mundaragi Taluk Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Hospital doctors administered immediate care and placed the students under close observation. Medical personnel confirmed that five children required inpatient admission, while all 107 students were stabilized and declared out of danger. Following the incident, officials from the Block Education Office and local health department visited both the school and the hospital to inspect the kitchen facilities and monitor the children's condition. Administrative authorities have initiated a thorough inquiry into the preparation, hygiene, and storage practices at the Bidanal school kitchen, promising strict disciplinary action against staff found negligent. Local residents and parents have demanded stringent safety protocols across all government school kitchens in Mundaragi taluk.