9 Poonamallee Students Hospitalised After Dead Lizard Found in School Breakfast

Nine students from a government-aided Hindu Middle School in Poonamallee were hospitalised on Monday after consuming food under the state's morning meal scheme in which a dead lizard was found.

The incident occurred during morning food distribution when school teachers noticed a dead lizard inside the food container. The staff immediately intervened and halted the distribution of the meal. However, nine students had already eaten the breakfast before the discovery was made.

The students who had consumed the meal began experiencing symptoms of mild nausea shortly afterward. They were promptly taken to the Poonamallee Government Hospital, where they were admitted for observation and treatment. Hospital and education sources indicated that all nine children are currently in stable condition and are expected to make a full recovery within a day.

Following the incident, breakfast distribution at other government schools across the Poonamallee area was called off as soon as senior officials were alerted. The Tiruvallur district collector visited the school premises, carried out an inspection of the kitchen facilities, and subsequently visited the hospitalised students to monitor their condition.

Education department sources stated that the breakfast had been prepared by self-help groups operating out of a preparation centre in Mangadu. The food was delivered to the school as part of the state government’s morning meal scheme.

The social welfare department has initiated steps to hold a formal inquiry into the lapse and will take action against those found responsible. An official noted that investigators are yet to ascertain whether the lizard fell into the vessel during the preparation process at the Mangadu kitchen or at the school while the food was being served.