District magistrate Anupam Kumar on Sunday said teachers and officials of the education department would not be spared if any child falls ill after consuming the midday meal.

There would be regular monitoring of the foodstuff supplied to prepare the meal. The officials have been instructed to taste the meal before serving it to the children. If they suspect anything, the meal would not be served.

The DM told The Telegraph that he held a high-level meeting with the officials concerned on Sunday and prepared a checklist of the meal. Teachers would have to be responsible for serving pure and unadulterated meal.

A roster for surprise inspection by the education department officials is being made and these checks would start in a month. “This move will boost teaching standards as well as give a clear picture of the midday meal condition,” said Kumar. A close user group network is being prepared for effective implementation of the midday meal scheme as well as to prevent any irregularities.

The officials would monitor the meal on a daily basis in all schools. Utensils used to prepare the meal would also be provided to schools.

Besides, the school management would be directed to purchase only branded and sealed food items to avoid contamination and adulteration. Also, no one other than cooks would be allowed in the area where the meal would be prepared, Kumar said.

An appropriate place would be chosen where the meal would be prepared to maintain hygiene, he added.