Introduction

On Friday, October 4, health officials in Uttar Pradesh reported that around 120-125 individuals fell ill due to suspected food poisoning from buckwheat flour. Victims displayed symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea and received prompt medical care at a local hospital.

Officials sent food samples for testing, and Bijnor District Magistrate Ankit Kumar Agarwal announced that they would take strict action against those responsible. The district hospital, along with private doctors, is working together to provide timely treatment and manage the situation effectively.

Report

People commonly use buckwheat flour, or ‘kuttu ka atta,’ to prepare traditional dishes like rotis and puris, especially during fasting periods such as Navratri. Its gluten-free and nutritious properties make it a popular choice for breaking fasts. In response to the incident, the District Food and Drug Administration team raided and closed two shops suspected of supplying the contaminated flour, and they initiated legal action against the vendors.

Many individuals who fasted for Janmashtami experienced severe symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, and tremors after consuming puris and pakodas made with buckwheat flour. Priyanka, a teenage girl treated at a public hospital, recounted her ordeal to PTI, saying, “After eating buckwheat flour fritters last evening, I started feeling nauseous and began vomiting.”

Similar Incidents Earlier This Year

This incident is not isolated. During the Navratri fasting period in April, 36 individuals from various areas fell ill after consuming food made with low-quality buckwheat flour. Many ate puris and pakodas, leading to symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea. In August, over 100 people, including women and children, ended up hospitalized in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, after consuming products made from the flour, according to officials.

Source: Business Standard