The midday meal controversy in Palghar Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools has raised serious concerns after photos of millet bars containing mould and worms went viral on social media. Education officials confirmed that the issue was reported at one of the two schools involved, with laboratory test results on the samples still pending.

At Chinchani Zilla Parishad School Number 3, one out of the 1,300 millet bars distributed to students was found to contain visible mould and fungus. In contrast, the second school, Anand Laxman Chandavar Vidyalaya in Khanivali, was given a clean chit after the principal submitted a written undertaking, signed by all teachers, affirming that the millet bars were in good condition.