Lizard found in food served to students, cooks relieved of duty

Tiruvallur Collector S. Kavitha removed two woman cooks from duty after a lizard was found in food prepared for the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme at Kottaiyur Middle School in Kadambathur block on Thursday.

Cooks noticed lizard during transfer of food

The cooks, identified as Arthi and Dhanalakshmi, were relieved of duty following the incident.

Sources said the lizard was noticed when the cooks were transferring rava kichadi to smaller utensils.

The Collector also directed that action be initiated against the school headmaster and teacher, as well as the block development officer in-charge of the scheme.

Children taken to hospital after consuming food

By the time the lizard was noticed, 40 of the 54 children had consumed a portion of the food.

The children were immediately made to drink salt water and vomit.

They were then taken to the Tiruvallur Medical College Hospital, where they underwent a check-up and were later sent home.

One girl student was admitted to the hospital with diarrhoea.

Collector cites uncovered utensils

The Collector visited both the school and the hospital after the incident.

She said the incident happened because the utensils containing the food were not covered properly.

The report was published on September 25, 2026, at 12:35 am IST.

Source: The Hindu