THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Call it ironic. But it was only after the tragic death of a student, Sachin Roy Mathew, and hospitalization of more than 20 people reportedly after eating 'shawarma' from a city outlet that the little known food safety department came to the spotlight. The shawarma incident was the first major case that came up before the department after the introduction of the Food Safety and Standards Act in the state in 2006.
Though the food safety department conducted a serious of raids, surprise checks, etc in hotels across the state in the last one year, the way it handled the shawarma case is worth introspecting.
The officials failed to collect samples of the shawarma which allegedly caused food poison to several people and resulted in the death of Sachin in Bangalore. Sachin had bought two shawarmas from Salwa Cafe restaurant at Vazhuthacaud before leaving for Bangalore on July 10, 2012. He was found dead at a hotel in Bangalore on July 13. At the same time, more than 20 people were admitted to various hospitals in the city. "The issue came before us only on the third day. By the time, the hotel workers had destroyed the samples and we could not collect them," said a senior food safety official.
When asked whether they could collect any evidence to link shawarma with the food poison case, the officials said that they collected evidences, including bill records, of the other victims. "We got the medical records and statements of the people who were hospitalized for food poison. The medical report did not specify food poisoning, but it says that the symptoms are that of food poisoning," said the official. The department had filed a chargesheet at chief judicial magistrate court almost six months ago.
Food safety officials put the onus of further investigation on the Museum police, who are probing the case. "Police will collect other details such as postmortem report, forensic report, etc. The postmortem was held in Bangalore," the officials said.
However, the incident was an eye opener for the department, which began periodic checks on eateries after the incident. Lack of skilled employees, infrastructure facilities and efficient laboratories affects the functioning of the department.
Though the food safety department conducted a serious of raids, surprise checks, etc in hotels across the state in the last one year, the way it handled the shawarma case is worth introspecting.
The officials failed to collect samples of the shawarma which allegedly caused food poison to several people and resulted in the death of Sachin in Bangalore. Sachin had bought two shawarmas from Salwa Cafe restaurant at Vazhuthacaud before leaving for Bangalore on July 10, 2012. He was found dead at a hotel in Bangalore on July 13. At the same time, more than 20 people were admitted to various hospitals in the city. "The issue came before us only on the third day. By the time, the hotel workers had destroyed the samples and we could not collect them," said a senior food safety official.
When asked whether they could collect any evidence to link shawarma with the food poison case, the officials said that they collected evidences, including bill records, of the other victims. "We got the medical records and statements of the people who were hospitalized for food poison. The medical report did not specify food poisoning, but it says that the symptoms are that of food poisoning," said the official. The department had filed a chargesheet at chief judicial magistrate court almost six months ago.
Food safety officials put the onus of further investigation on the Museum police, who are probing the case. "Police will collect other details such as postmortem report, forensic report, etc. The postmortem was held in Bangalore," the officials said.
However, the incident was an eye opener for the department, which began periodic checks on eateries after the incident. Lack of skilled employees, infrastructure facilities and efficient laboratories affects the functioning of the department.
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