Team Herald
PANJIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane issued a report on the suspected food poisoning after students had the mid day meals at the two schools at Mapusa. Rane said that the licence of one of the self-help groups who supplied the mid-day meals was suspended.
He said that on receiving the information from the Mapusa police regarding the suspected food poisoning at Janata High School and Ganesh Vidhya Mandir, the Food Safety officers of FDA immediately rushed to the schools to investigate the matter. They visited both the schools and also inspected the premises of the mid-day meal suppliers.
It was learnt that the mid-day meal at Janata High School was supplied by Shri Ram self-help group. Of the 430 students who had the meals, 38 were affected and taken to the District Hospital, Mapusa.
“On inspecting the premises of the suppliers it was noted that they had shifted to a new place and they could not produce the licence from FDA. Also deficiencies were noted. This self help group has been asked to stop its operations,” said the Health Minister.
Mid-day meals at Ganesh Vidhya Mandir were supplied by Rashtroli Mahila Mandal, Pirna. Of the 355 students who had taken the meals, seven were found affected.
A spot inspection report was issued and a compliance report was also asked.
Rane said that samples of the bhaji retained by the school were taken for analysis to FDA lab.
Samples of raw materials were also taken from the premises of the self-help groups.
The FDA team comprised of Food Safety officers Rajaram Patil, Atul Dessai, Madhav Kavlekar and officials Ramesh Verekar, and Ganesh Gaonkar.
