INDORE: Around 10 to 15 students living at a girls’ hostel in Indore have fallen ill over the past week, according to media reports, prompting complaints about the quality of food and drinking water at the facility.
Students alleged that insects and hair were found in meals served by the hostel mess. Videos and photographs shared on social media led parents to visit the hostel and stage a protest.
After receiving complaints, a food safety team inspected the mess on Saturday. Officials found poor hygiene and possible violations of food safety standards and ordered the mess to be closed. Samples of flour and ghee have been sent for laboratory testing.
Authorities said action would be taken if negligence is confirmed.
According to media reports, several students required medical treatment after suffering from vomiting, stomach pain and other health problems. Some students said medical tests showed liver and intestinal infections. One student was reportedly admitted to hospital with a serious throat infection and has since switched to bottled drinking water.
Students also alleged that the hostel had been supplying contaminated water for several days.
The hostel management denied that food served in the mess caused the illnesses. It said the affected students had consumed food from outside the hostel and maintained that students who regularly ate in the mess had not reported health problems.
Officials are awaiting the laboratory test results, and the investigation is ongoing.
