Over 100 univ students fall ill after suspected food poisoning in hostel

Rudrapur: More than 100 students of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar, fell ill after a suspected food poisoning incident at a hostel on Wednesday night. Two students whose condition deteriorated were referred to a private hospital in Rudrapur, while the others were treated at the university hospital. Food samples have been collected for testing, and an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.University sources told TOI that around 185 second-year engineering students stay in Patel Hostel, where the incident occurred, and nearly 150 had dinner at the mess on Wednesday. The meal included paneer for vegetarian students and chicken, naan and rice for non-vegetarian students. Within an hour of eating the food, many students started experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea and severe stomach pain, following which hostel authorities rushed them to the university hospital.Students, requesting anonymity, alleged that poor-quality ingredients were used in the mess and claimed they had earlier raised complaints about food hygiene. They said insects had been found in food on previous occasions, but no “substantial corrective measures were taken”.Vice-Chancellor Shivendra Kumar Kashyap said the university administration was closely monitoring the situation and all affected students were receiving medical care. “The health and safety of students is our top priority. A detailed inquiry has been ordered, and strict action will be taken if any negligence is found,” he said.