Chhattisgarh High Court 'Shocked' After Phenyl Found In Meal Cooked For School Students, Calls For Food Safety Protocols

Remarking that the said act is not only an “act of negligence” but also a “criminal act which put the lives of students at stake”, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru observed,

“The magnitude of the incident is shocking. Had the contaminated food been consumed by the students, it is beyond imagination what devastation it would have caused to the lives of their parents and families, who repose their faith in the residential school system, believing that their children would be cared for like their own. Such an incident, if not promptly detected, could have shattered the confidence of society that students are safe in schools.”

The Court took cognisance of a news report published in a Hindi Daily which reported the incident and revealed that when the food was first tasted by one of the teachers, a strong odour of phenyl was observed. Allegedly, 48KGs of beans cooked for 426 students was reported to be mixed with the chemical substance.

Noting that if the smell would not have been detected, it could have costed the life all those students, the Court observed,

“It is a matter of grave concern that incidents of such nature are occurring repeatedly where the food meant for consumption of the students/small children either are prepared in unhygienic conditions or is being soiled/contaminated by dogs or other animals and the said food are allowed to be served to the children risking their lives.”

While the Collector had already ordered enquiry into the matter, the Court ordered the enquiry report to be placed before it.

It further directed the Chief Secretary to file affidavit and subsequently issue instructions to all stakeholders involved either in preparing or serving food/edible items schools, hostels, Anganwadi Centers, or any such places where small children/students are supplied food, that the same is cooked in a clean environment and hygienic manner, taking all due precautions so that the same is not contaminated by any chemical substances, soiled by animals, or infected by insects, as even a slightest act of negligence could pose serious threat to the lives of the children, which would in turn cause “severe embarrassment to the State and administration.”

The Court directed the Chief Secretary to take the following points into consideration while issuing instructions:

1. Food Safety Protocols, including routine tasting and certification, and maintenance of a Tasting Register,
2. Kitchen and Storage Hygiene, where kitchens are routinely inspected, chemical substances are kept away from food storage and cooking areas, and food items and oils are kept in sealed containers,
3. Supervision and Accountability, which includes appointment of a Nodal Officer, and fixing personal accountability of school authorities for lapses,
4. Security and Access Control, including restricted access to kitchen premises, installation of CCTV cameras in kitchens and dining areas,
5. Training and awareness, including regular training of cooks, helpers and staff,
6. Medical Preparedness, including tie-ups with nearest PHC/CHC for emergency assistance,
7. Community and parent involvement,
8. Criminal Accountability in cases of deliberate contamination,
9. Establishment of a reporting mechanism, including institution of state-level helpline or complaint mechanism, and
10. Preparation of audits of mid-day meals and food schemes.

The Court thereafter observed,

“While issuing such instructions by the Chief Secretary of the State of Chhattisgarh, it should further be made clear that any lapses on the part of the responsible authorities would be viewed very seriously and they should be more vigilant and careful while preparing and serving the food to the students.”

The matter is now listed on 17.09.2025.

Case Details:

Case Number: WPPIL No. 75 of 2023

Case Title: In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation v. The Chief Secretary & Others

Click Here To Read/Download Order