Three noon-meal staff of the Coimbatore Corporation Middle School, Kavundapalayam, were placed under suspension on Wednesday, a day after 44 students were hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning after consuming lunch.
The students - 31 boys and 13 girls - who had developed symptoms of nausea after finding a dead lizard in the food were provided treatment at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and sent home.
The news was circulated widely on social media platforms. An inquiry was ordered and food samples were taken for testing.
District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, who ordered suspension of the cook Manohari, assistant cook Kamala, and noon meal organiser Kausalya, also recommended departmental action against them.
Noon-meal staff from other schools were deputed. The Corporation Middle School at Kavundapalayam with 408 students provides noon-meal to 384 beneficiaries.
