On July 16, 2013, a tragic incident took place in a primary school in Bihar, India. Many children ate a Midday Meal provided at their school, which is part of a government program to offer nutritious food to students. Unfortunately, the food was contaminated with pesticide, which is a harmful chemical used to kill insects. As a result, at least 23 students died after consuming the meal, and dozens more fell ill, suffering from severe symptoms that required immediate medical attention. This tragic event highlighted the importance of food safety in schools. It raised awareness among parents and authorities about the risks of unsafe food, which many people had previously overlooked. Following the incident, discussions began regarding better food preparation and storage practices to protect children from harmful substances. People started to demand stricter regulations to ensure the safety of meals served in schools, believing that no child should suffer due to negligence. The government took steps to improve food safety standards and proposed training programs for kitchen staff to prevent such incidents in the future. This event became a significant moment for education and health in Bihar, and it encouraged changes to protect children, emphasizing the need for vigilance in food safety practices.
B1 · Intermediate · 204 words · ~1 min
Word notebook · B1
Tap a highlighted word in the text, or study the list below.
- pesticide
- a chemical used to kill pests, especially insects that can harm crops or food.
- negligence
- the failure to take proper care or attention that can lead to harm or damage.
- nutritious
- food that is good for health and provides the necessary nutrients.
- awareness
- knowledge or understanding about a situation or fact.
- symptoms
- the physical signs that show a person may be ill.
Comprehension check · B1
Finished reading? See how much stuck.
1.What happened on July 16, 2013, in Bihar?
2.What did the tragic event highlight?
3.What steps did the government take after the incident?
















































