(Image Source: Press TV)
 
BY CHARESSE JAMES
 
Forensic reports have confirmed the free school
lunch that killed 23 children in the Indian
state of Bihar was contaminated with pesticides.
"Officials suspect that the food was cooked
with oil kept in the same container as pesticides.
pesticide levels were five times the normal
levels."
(Via WMAZ)
The lunch was part of India's 'Mid Day Meal,'
one of the largest programs of its kind in
the world.
It covers 120 million children with the goal
of tackling malnutrition while encouraging
school attendance.
The incident has sparked outrage and widespread
complaints about food safety.
(Via CNN)
"Protests erupted after the deaths of the
pupils.
Some angry parents buried the bodies of some
of the victims and others displayed them outside
the school in protest."
(Via Sky News)
Twenty five other students have been hospitalized
because of the tainted food.
All the children affected were between the
ages of 5 and 12.
BBC suggests this tragedy could have been
avoided.
"The school's cook ... had earlier accused
the school principal ... of forcing her to
use the oil, despite the cook complaining
that it 'smelled strongly' and looked 'dodgy'."
The principal is still at large.
She is wanted on suspicion of criminal negligence.
