Anganwadi Meal Incident in Khammam: Food Mix Up at Anganwadi Leaves Five Unwell in Khammam
An Anganwadi meal in Khammam turned alarming after oleander leaves were mistakenly cooked with greens, leaving three children and two women unwell before they were shifted for treatment.
Anganwadi Meal Incident in Khammam: An Anganwadi meal in Khammam district went wrong after oleander leaves were accidentally mixed with leafy vegetables and cooked as part of the midday meal. Five people, including three children, later fell ill.
The incident took place on September 1 at Anganwadi Centre 3 in Kishtaram village of Sathupalli mandal. The matter came to light later, prompting officials to look into how the poisonous leaves ended up in the food.
The centre’s regular helper, Nagamani, was on leave due to health issues. Anganwadi teacher Krishnakumari therefore sought assistance from a local woman, Darla Sarojini, to prepare the meal for the children.
While collecting spinach and gongura from the nutrition garden, Sarojini reportedly picked some oleander leaves along with the greens without realizing the difference. The leaves were then added to the dal and cooked.
Among those who ate the food were a woman identified as Patra Swapna, her son Yashwanth and her relative’s son Rians. Another woman, Kumari, and her granddaughter Tanmayi also had the meal. All five subsequently developed health problems.
Swapna reportedly noticed an unusual leaf in the dal that had not softened properly during cooking. She recognized it as an oleander leaf, raising concern about what had happened.
The affected children and women were first taken to a hospital in Sathupalli after they began feeling unwell. They were later shifted to the government hospital in Khammam for further medical care.
Officials said the patients underwent blood tests and ECG examinations and were responding well to treatment. Supervisor Rajini and CDPO Satyavathi were involved in overseeing their medical care. Authorities have also said that an inquiry will be conducted and action will be taken against those found responsible.
Sarojini said she had agreed to help with cooking after being told she would receive Rs 100 for the day’s work because the regular helper was away. She maintained that the oleander leaves were picked accidentally while collecting the other greens and that there was no intention to cause harm.
The incident has raised questions about food preparation and safety checks at Anganwadi centres, particularly when substitute workers are involved in cooking meals for children.
