Ban on outside food in hostels

Move to ensure safety of students in government residential homes, child protection homes, and voluntary organisation-managed hostels
Following a tragic incident where four children died of suspected food poisoning at a hostel in Kailasapatnam village, District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar has implemented a strict ban on external food in all hostels across the district.
The decision, announced at a meeting at the Collectorate meeting hall on Tuesday, is aimed at ensuring the safety of students in government residential homes, child protection homes, and voluntary organisation-managed hostels. “Fortified food is essential for the health and development of our students,” emphasised Collector Pundkar. “By enforcing this ban, we are taking a significant step toward safeguarding their well-being.”
District Education Officer (DEO) Krishna Chaitanya supported the directive, noting that students currently receive meals from Akshayapatra, a provider renowned for its nutritious offerings. He also highlighted the need for proper hydration, urging the installation of R.O. plants in hostels to ensure safe drinking water. “It’s crucial that stored drinking water is avoided and fruits and vegetables are properly inspected,” Chaitanya advised. He further recommended that larger hostels have a designated officer to oversee operations, while smaller hostels should have a lower-level officer to manage daily activities effectively.
Welfare Officer Anuradha underscored the importance of ensuring that colleges operate only if they have an attached hostel, which should be accurately identified by mandals. She called for regular health inspections, urging the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) to assign PHC doctors to monitor student health closely. The Food Inspector raised concerns about food contamination, stressing that expired items must be disposed of immediately and water tanks should be regularly cleaned. “External food poses a risk of contamination, particularly from colouring spices,” the inspector warned.
Food Safety Officer G. Sriramulu supported these measures, stating, “Expired food must be promptly discarded to prevent health risks,” while Assistant Safety Controller Venkataratnam informed that violations can be reported through a dedicated helpline at 9704009989. In a follow-up meeting, Shanthi Sri, Project Director of the Women and Child Welfare Department, reiterated the ban on external food and called for a review of safety measures. “Standardising and teaching the menu within hostels will ensure consistency and quality,” she said.
Officials including Municipal Corporation Commissioner Challa Obulesu, Social Welfare Deputy Director Vishwamohan Reddy, and Child Welfare Committee Chairman Shri Lakshmi attended the meeting.