Animal part in soft drink causes health scare in Tiruchi college

Six students of a local college were admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) evening after consuming a soft drink bought from the institution’s canteen that allegedly had an animal part inside. The students were discharged on Thursday (February 19) after being kept under observation.

According to reports, the incident took place at the canteen of a government college in Tiruchi when the male students shared a bottle of the soft drink, and found what appeared to be the tail of a skink in the dregs. They were admitted to MGMGH after complaining of nausea.

When contacted, M. Jegadish Chandra Bose, District Designated Officer, Food Safety Wing, told The Hindu that following the incident, the canteen had been closed and the entire stock of the soft drink in question had been sent for testing.

“We have also ordered a hygiene and stock audit at the bottling unit of the drinks manufacturer at Lalgudi. The Food Safety Wing has also checked the canteen premises for any potential lapses,” Mr. Bose said.

A protest was staged on the college campus led by the Tiruchi district chapter of Students Federation of India (SFI) on Thursday. “The authorities have promised to take action after the results of the tests are available within the next few days,” said SFI district secretary G. Mohan.