Vadodara: Around 40 students and staff members of Amrit Vidyalaya in Kalol, Panchmahal district, fell ill over the weekend, reportedly due to contaminated food or water.

Officials from the district education office (DEO) and the health department have begun an inquiry into the incident. The affected individuals began showing symptoms on Saturday, with several requiring hospitalisation. Most of the cases resembled food poisoning, officials said.

Sources said the school serves meals based on a fixed menu, with teachers eating the same food as students. Investigators have collected samples of food, raw materials, and drinking water for testing. They are also checking whether any food items from outside were served on the day of the incident.

Kalol MLA Fatesinh Chauhan visited the school on Monday, accompanied by concerned parents. Some parents alleged that they saw expired ingredients in the school kitchen.