India: Kerala woman dies, nearly 180 hospitalised after eating biryani-like dish at Thrissur restaurant

In a tragic incident in the Indian state of Kerala, one woman died and nearly 180 others were hospitalised after reportedly suffering from food poisoning after eating a biryani-like dish at a restaurant in the state’s Thrissur district.

What we know about the incident

A woman, identified as Usaiba hailing from Perinjanam died early Tuesday (May 28) while she was being treated at the Thrissur Medical College for severe stomach pain and vomiting, reported PTI.

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Usaiba who was said to be in her 50s along with two of her relatives had sought medical help after eating at a local restaurant in the Perinjanam region.

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She and as many as 178 others were admitted to the hospital due to complaints of diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and other issues.

What have the officials said?

The Health Department officials along with the Food Safety Department, Panchayat authorities, and the police conducted an inspection of the eatery.

Health officials believe that the food poisoning was caused by mayonnaise which was served with a dish called “kuzhimanthi”.

Kuzhimanthi is a version of a Yemeni dish featuring flavoured rice and meat, sold in most of the non-vegetarian restaurants in Kerala.

The restaurant was closed after 178 people were diagnosed with food poisoning after eating the biryani-like dish at the eatery reportedly on Saturday (May 25) evening.

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An officer from the Kaipamangalam police station told news agency PTI that the restaurant has been sealed since the incident. Meanwhile, the Panchayat officials have vowed to take strict action against the restaurant.

“Residents of Perinjanam and Kaypamangalam are in the hospital. They have been admitted to various hospitals in Kodungallur and Iringalakuda,” said Vineeta Mohandas, Panchayat President, as quoted by Times Now.

Media reports citing officials also said that the restaurant was operating under unsanitary conditions.

(With inputs from agencies)