54 students at BC Welfare Boys Hostel in Gadwal suffer from food poisoning; 32 discharged

Over 50 students at BC Welfare Boys Hostel in Dharmavaram of Gadwal in Telangana suffered from food poisoning after having dinner on Friday (October 31, 2025). Altogether, 54 students were rushed to the Government Hospital in the district. While 32 were discharged on Saturday morning, 22 more could be discharged by the afternoon, said the district Collector B.M. Santhosh. 

While the strength at the hostel is 140, there were 110 students on Friday. Food prepared with cauliflower and cabbage was served at night and 54 students fell sick after having dinner. The Collector said that they were rushed to the hospital in an ambulance for treatment. A thorough investigation would be conducted to know the cause of the incident, he said. As eggs too were suspected to be the cause, samples - if available - would be sent to the Food Inspector for tests.

Recalling that he visited the Hostel a month ago, Mr. Santosh said that at least three educational institutions are inspected in a week without prior notice. Food is served to students after members of Food Safety Committees at the hostel concerned have eaten. The members check quality of the vegetables and other groceries used to prepare meals. The Collector said that while Tahsildars visit the Welfare Hostel on two days a month, orders would be issued to increase the frequency to once a week.