Dead Snake in Mid-Day Meal Sparks Illness Among Over 100 Children in India
Mokama, Bihar – May 2, 2025 — More than 100 children in eastern India have reportedly fallen ill after consuming a government-provided school meal from which a dead snake had been removed before serving, according to the country’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The incident occurred in the city of Mokama, Bihar, where around 500 students were served the contaminated meal under India’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme, one of the world’s largest school feeding programs.
The cook allegedly removed the dead snake from the food but went ahead and served it anyway, the NHRC revealed in a statement on Thursday.
Public Outcry and Investigation Launched
Shortly after consuming the meal, dozens of children reportedly began to feel ill, prompting angry locals to block a major road in protest. The NHRC has demanded a comprehensive report within two weeks from top state officials, including updates on the health conditions of the affected students.
“If confirmed, this is a grave violation of the children’s human rights,” the commission emphasized.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme Under Scrutiny
India’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme was first introduced in 1925 in Chennai (then Madras) to fight hunger and encourage school attendance among children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While the program has helped improve enrollment rates, it has repeatedly come under fire for food quality and hygiene lapses.
This isn’t the first scandal tied to school meals in Bihar. In 2013, 23 children died after consuming contaminated food that was later found to contain lethal pesticide levels.
No Snake Species Identified Yet
Authorities have yet to confirm what type of snake was found in the meal, and medical updates on the children’s condition are still awaited. Images shared by local media show frantic scenes at hospitals, with worried parents seeking answers.
As the NHRC intensifies its inquiry, the incident has reignited national debate over food safety standards in public schools, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
