Students fall ill at college hostel in Namakkal

Around 27 female students from Excel Educational Institutions fell ill after eating food from their college hostel on Friday (January 30, 2026) causing a students’ protest.

More than 3,500 students from various States are studying at the institution at Komarapalayam. In the last week of October 2025, 128 students fell sick after eating food from the college hostel. Based on the district administration’s order, the common kitchen of the college was closed.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, 27 female students who ate food at the girls' hostel in the college premises fell ill. Of which, five students were admitted to the hospital in the college premises and the remaining returned after first aid. The students staged a protest at midnight demanding action. The college administration and police pacified the students.

On Saturday (January 31, 2026), officials from the Food Safety Department visited the college and took food samples for lab tests.

Designated officer for the Food Safety Department, Namakkal, J. Thanga Vignesh said that the food was prepared at the girl's hostel and three samples have been taken for tests and a notice will be issued to the college. Contact information of the food safety officials' were provided to the students to report about the quality of food, Mr. Vignesh added.