Small glass shards were allegedly found in the mid-day meal served to students at a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run school in Ghatkopar on Thursday, prompting teachers to immediately halt the meal and demand an independent inquiry.
The incident reportedly occurred at Pant Nagar Upper Primary Hindi School. According to school officials, a student noticed a piece of glass while eating, after feeling it against his teeth. As a precaution, teachers instructed all students to stop eating immediately to prevent any injuries.
Teachers and parents alleged that concerns over the quality of meals supplied by Shruti Mahila Sanstha, the agency responsible for providing the food, had also been raised in March and April this year but were allegedly not addressed.
Parents described the incident as deeply concerning, stating that children have the right to receive safe and nutritious food at school. They also called for a stronger and more transparent quality control system for school meals.
BMC Education Officer Kirtivardhan Kiritkudve said the civic body had not yet received an official report from the school's principal. He stated that the facts would be verified before any conclusions were drawn and that legal action would be taken if negligence was established during the inquiry.
Responding to the allegations, Shruti Mahila Sanstha representative Shailesh Talekar said the organisation prioritises food quality and became aware of the incident only later. He added that a team would visit the school to verify the facts and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Meanwhile, Prahar Teachers' Association president Vikas Ghughe demanded an independent investigation, stressing that the health and safety of students must remain the highest priority. He called for strict action and accountability if any lapses are found.
The incident comes a day after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its statewide food safety drive to schools. The regulator has directed around 1.08 lakh schools across the state to ensure safe and hygienic food in school canteens and under the PM Poshan Scheme, warning that institutions violating food safety norms could face action, including cancellation of affiliation.
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