11 fall ill after eating suspected contaminated food in West Godavari

Rajahmundry: Eleven persons reportedly fell ill after consuming bajjis (fritters) prepared with suspected contaminated all-purpose flour (maida) at S Kondrupadu village in Ganapavaram mandal of Unguturu constituency in West Godavari district. The condition of three patients is said to be critical.

According to preliminary information, the flour used to prepare the food had allegedly been stored for nearly a year in worker sheds at aqua farms and is suspected to have developed fungal contamination or mould. The food was prepared at home and shared among neighbours. Officials clarified that this was not a commercial food activity.

Among the affected, five persons have been admitted to a private hospital, another five are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bhimavaram, while a two-year-old boy has been admitted to Varma Hospital. District medical and health officer (DM&HO) teams have been deployed at all hospitals and are continuously monitoring the patients. The person who prepared the food also reportedly fell ill after consuming it.

Speaking to TOI, DM&HO Dr Geetha Bai said that a family of six had prepared punukulu, a breakfast item made using maida, as relatives visiting from Hyderabad and Hanuman Junction were spending their summer vacation in the village. The food was also served to neighbours. She said those who consumed the food developed symptoms of food poisoning and are currently undergoing treatment in private hospitals in Bhimavaram.

She added that food safety authorities visited the village, collected samples, and sent them to the forensic science laboratory (FSL) in Vijayawada for analysis.

District collector Chadalavada Nagarani visited the hospitals and reviewed the treatment being provided. She directed health officials to ensure close monitoring and provide the best possible medical care to all affected persons.