Islamabad: Over 180 children at a home for orphans here took ill after consuming ‘substandard’ food, media reported.

The children were taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Sunday when they complained of stomach pain soon after having breakfast. Some of them fell unconscious while some started vomiting, Daily Times reported on Monday.

‘The children were fed substandard meals which led to food poisoning,’ said Ayesha Esani, a doctor.

PIMS spokesperson Waseem Khwaja said: ‘The children were suffering from gastro diseases.’

Pakistan Sweet Homes patron-in-chief Zamrud Khan said the orphans were not victims of malnutrition as the management makes sure that the children were fed with quality food.