THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The mystery shrouding the controversial biriyani death is getting unravelled slowly.
The chemical examination has termed an insecticide as the cause of death. An organophosphate insecticide, ethion, was identified in the chemical analysis test, which rules out food poisoning theory.
Rajitha Rajeev, an MBBS student hailing from Ulloor, died on July 27 at Medical College hospital. Her relatives had alleged that she died due to food poisoning from biriyani which she had for dinner from a hotel in Kazhakoottam on July 26.
Chief chemical examiner K G Sivadasan said the chemical examination report has been sent to the head of forensic department, Medical College, for further analysis. According to Sivadasan, common symptoms of intake of ethion are vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, blurred vision, etc., which are incidentally the common symptoms of food poisoning also. "We are yet to get the quantity of the pesticide consumed. At present, we can't make a final assessment about the reason for the death," he said.
He, however, ruled out the possibility of ethion being present in the food. The pesticide is commonly used to kill insects and worms in gardens, he added.
Shiroz Khan, owner of Halai's Biriyani, said though he felt relieved, he was still thinking on whether to reopen the hotel or not.
"I suffered so much mental trauma that I feel two years of my life will be lost due to it. I got an order from the food safety commissioner allowing me to reopen the hotel. Also, the sessions court has informed me that I am not an accused in the case," he said.
He said his business was affected and a loss of Rs 10 lakh was expected.
"More than the financial loss, the mental trauma was unbearable. The condition is so worse that the authorities can close down any hotel if anyone has any doubt against the eatery," Shiroz said.
The food safety officials had closed down Halai's Biriyani following the complaint on July 28. However, the food safety department has not registered any case under the Food Safety and Standards Act as it did not get any evidence to prove food poisoning.
The chemical examination has termed an insecticide as the cause of death. An organophosphate insecticide, ethion, was identified in the chemical analysis test, which rules out food poisoning theory.
Rajitha Rajeev, an MBBS student hailing from Ulloor, died on July 27 at Medical College hospital. Her relatives had alleged that she died due to food poisoning from biriyani which she had for dinner from a hotel in Kazhakoottam on July 26.
Chief chemical examiner K G Sivadasan said the chemical examination report has been sent to the head of forensic department, Medical College, for further analysis. According to Sivadasan, common symptoms of intake of ethion are vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, blurred vision, etc., which are incidentally the common symptoms of food poisoning also. "We are yet to get the quantity of the pesticide consumed. At present, we can't make a final assessment about the reason for the death," he said.
He, however, ruled out the possibility of ethion being present in the food. The pesticide is commonly used to kill insects and worms in gardens, he added.
Shiroz Khan, owner of Halai's Biriyani, said though he felt relieved, he was still thinking on whether to reopen the hotel or not.
"I suffered so much mental trauma that I feel two years of my life will be lost due to it. I got an order from the food safety commissioner allowing me to reopen the hotel. Also, the sessions court has informed me that I am not an accused in the case," he said.
He said his business was affected and a loss of Rs 10 lakh was expected.
"More than the financial loss, the mental trauma was unbearable. The condition is so worse that the authorities can close down any hotel if anyone has any doubt against the eatery," Shiroz said.
The food safety officials had closed down Halai's Biriyani following the complaint on July 28. However, the food safety department has not registered any case under the Food Safety and Standards Act as it did not get any evidence to prove food poisoning.
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