NEW DELHI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Over 170 children in three schools were taken ill after consuming contaminated meal in India's eastern state of Odisha, officials said Friday.
More than 50 students of a residential school in Malkangiri district fell ill Friday morning after consuming breakfast that reportedly was laced with phenyl.
The government-run school houses children from low income and socially backward sections.
"Students complained of stomach pain and vomiting after taking breakfast," an official said. "The children were taken to nearby medical facility."
A local media report said flattened rice bags meant for students had apparently come in contact with phenyl that had been spilled on the floor.
This was the third incident of food poisoning in the last 24 hours.
On Thursday 120 students were taken ill at Kalahandi and Gajapati districts after eating mid-day meal served to them.
"The children are undergoing treatment in the hospitals," the official said.
Free Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched in India by the government some years back to tackle hunger and boost attendance in the government-run primary schools.
In 2013, at least 22 children died and dozens more were taken ill after eating lunch at a school in Bihar state.
