Berhampur, July 22: An insect surfaced in a midday meal at a primary school today, just three days after 39 students of a Dhenkanal upper primary cradle fell sick after eating their government-sponsored meal.

Students were told to stop eating their midday meals in Tamaya Tank Road Primary School, located near Biju Patnaik Park, after an insect was found in their dal.

The meal had been prepared by an organisation called Nandi Foundation.

Pabitra Mohan Sahu, deputy inspector of schools Berhampur and block education officer, Rangeilunda, said there would be an official inquiry.

On July 19, 39 students had fallen sick and were taken to hospital after they had their midday meal at an upper primary school in Dhenkanal. Subsequently, the district administration claimed that a dead scorpion had been found in the food.

The government has already issued detailed guidelines to all schools asking teachers to monitor the cooking and taste the food before it was served to students.

In Berhampur, the local councillor and member of the school management committee M. Tejeswar Swamy said: “Nirmala, the helper, served dal after rice was served. When she served the fourth plate, she saw a six-inches long insect, probably a double-headed snake or an earthworm, in the dal. She immediately informed the headmistress Kumud Kumari Padhi about the incident and Padhi told all the students not to consume the midday meal.”

Guardians of all the students gathered in front of the school to agitate soon after the news spread.