Gujarat Inspects 200 Educational Institutions After 85 Students Fall Ill At PP Savani School

The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Department launched a special campaign on Monday, a day after Health Minister Praful Pansheriya ordered inspections at all government and private hostels in the state housing students to check the quality of food being served.

On Monday, canteens and hostels at 200 government and private educational institutions were inspected to check whether the state health department’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was being followed.

Pansheriya announced the drive on Sunday following a suspected food poisoning incident involving 85 students at the hostel of PP Savani International School in Surat city on Saturday.

10 establishments shut over unhygienic conditions during Gujarat drive

According to officials, 10 establishments voluntarily closed due to extremely unsanitary conditions, one licence was suspended, 114 food samples were collected, and 61 institutions were issued notices asking them to improve their facilities.

On the first day of the drive, which started at around 6 a.m. and continued until the evening, premises at 47 government, 21 semi-government and 21 private institutions were inspected, according to officials.

85 students fall ill after dinner at PP Savani School hostel

About 85 of the 2,200 students staying at the PP Savani School hostel reported experiencing stomach pain, and some of them vomited after dinner on Saturday. The hostel staff transported the affected students to PP Savani Hospital for treatment.

School buses were used to transport the affected students to the hospital, which is also managed by the same trust. Most of the affected students were discharged after receiving primary treatment, while around five remained hospitalised. Their condition was reported to be stable.