125 children ill in Indian school after taking mid-day meal

At least 125 school children in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh were ill Saturday after eating lunch at a primary school, officials said.

The children were immediately hospitalized after they complained of vomiting.

The children were given the food in village Belhari in Ballia district, 383 km southeast of Lucknow city, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

"Some 125 children have fallen ill today after consuming some food at a government school here," an official at the district hospital said.

"All the children are stable and under observation."

India's official broadcaster, All India Radio (AIR) said a four-member team has been constituted to probe the incident.

The state broadcaster quoted district magistrate saying four teachers and two cooks of the school have been suspended.

In India, free Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched by the government years back to tackle hunger and boost attendance in the government-run primary schools.

However, the scheme suffers because of poor hygiene.

In 2013, at least 22 children died and dozens more were ill after eating lunch at a school in Bihar state. Endit