Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], April 1 : After 100 people were affected by food poisoning after consuming adulterated buckwheat flour, R Rajesh Kumar, Health Secretary on Monday said that the condition of all the patients is stable and most of the patients will be discharged from the hospital in the next 24 hours.
As many as 100 people were affected by food poisoning after consuming adulterated buckwheat flour in Dehradun during Navratri.
Following the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (FDA) raided shops and other establishments in Dehradun and the surrounding areas, along with the border areas of the state. Cases were registered against more than 12 people.
R Rajesh Kumar said that this morning, information was received that patients have been admitted to Government Doon Medical College and Coronation Hospital.
He said that on questioning the relatives of the patients, it was found that all of them had consumed items made of buckwheat flour, after which they started showing serious symptoms of food poisoning.
"During investigation, it was found that the families of the patients had purchased buckwheat flour from different shops, but the source of all the flour was linked to Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Vikasnagar (Dehradun)," he added
The investigation revealed that buckwheat flour was supplied by Govind Sahay Shankar Lal. This establishment was supplying buckwheat flour from Saharanpur (U.P.), Vikas Goyal Chakki - This chakki is located near Mogganj Jama Masjid, Thana Kotwali City, Saharanpur (U.P.), where buckwheat flour was ground, Laxmi Trading, Sangam Vihar, Bhojwala Road, Vikasnagar, Dehradun - This establishment was the main distributor of buckwheat flour in Dehradun. Its warehouse is located near Metyala Akbari Masjid, Dehradun.
The investigation found that these establishments had supplied adulterated buckwheat flour contrary to the instructions and guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which put the lives of 84 people at risk.
Considering the seriousness of the incident, the Food Safety Department has taken immediate action and registered an FIR against the main supplier Laxmi Trading. Along with this, the warehouse has been sealed. Samples of suspicious buckwheat flour were taken and sent for investigation.
The mill and shop located in Saharanpur are also being investigated. Action will continue against other establishments in the coming days.
He further said that the Food Department was taking samples of items continuously for three months and was also conducting raids.
In this regard, a letter was also written to the Food Commissioner of UP 15 days ago to take action against the adulterators because most of the adulterated products come to Uttarakhand from UP.
Rajesh Kumar said that a case had been registered against the accused by District Inspector Manish Singh. Strict action will be taken against the culprits.
He has appealed to the general public not to consume open or suspicious buckwheat flour.
"Check the quality of food items before purchasing. While purchasing buckwheat flour, buy it from certified shops only. If you feel unwell after consuming any food item, contact the doctor immediately. Give information about adulterated flour on toll-free helpline 1800-180-4246," he added.
R Rajesh Kumar visited Doon Medical College Hospital and Coronation Hospital and enquired about the condition of the patients.
He also met the patients suffering from food poisoning and their families, enquired about their condition and instructed the doctors to provide better treatment and all necessary facilities.