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Food poisoning: rice was unfit for consumption

Staff Reporter

Food poisoning incident in schools

Thiruvananthapuram: The Government Analysis Laboratory, which examined samples of raw rice, lentils and condiments from the Vanchi Poor Fund, has reported that the rice had a "disagreeable and foul smell and hence cannot be recommended for human consumption."

The report said the rice did not seem to have pesticide or chemical residues above permissible levels.

The reports of the samples of cooked food analysed by the Microbiology department of Medical College and those prepared by GAL were forwarded to the District Collector on Tuesday by the health officials.

The mass food poisoning episode occurred in two city schools last Friday after the children consumed the mid-day meal of rice and sambar, which had been prepared by the Vanchi Poor Fund. The District Collector had asked the RDO to inquire into the incident and food samples had been sent for chemical and microbiological analysis.

The microbiological analysis found a "heavy growth" of the organism, Bacillus cereus, in the sample of `sambar' that was served at Cotton Hill GHSS. The same organism was also found in moderate proportions in the cooked rice sample collected from Manacaud GHS.

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