INDIA: ADULTERATED BUCKWHEAT

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show details 8 Apr (3 days ago)

FOODBORNE ILLNESS - INDIA: (DELHI) ADULTERATED FOOD
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 7 Apr 2011
Source: The Times of India, Times News Network (TNN) [edited]
<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Delhi/Adulterated-kuttu-kills-MCD-staffer-300-ill/articleshow/7892256.cms>

In the 1st death from consumption of adulterated kuttu (buckwheat), a
50-year-old MCD [Municipal Corporation of Delhi] employee succumbed to
food poisoning in an east Delhi hospital on Wednesday morning [6 Apr
2011], less than 24 hours after taking ill. More than 300 people were
being treated in hospitals across Delhi and some NCR [national capital
region] areas, while 17 people had been arrested for selling the
spurious food.
Kuttu, which is used as a grain though it's not a cereal, is widely
consumed by those fasting during the 9-day [Hindu festival of]
Navratras, which started on Monday [4 Apr 2011].
"We have arrested 11 people including the owner of Nandu Masala Mill,
which was the maiden supplier to many wholesale retailers and
shopkeepers in east and northeast Delhi. He possibly also supplied to
Ghaziabad shops. We have also arrested 8 shopkeepers who were selling
adulterated buckwheat," said deputy commissioner of police (northeast)
Sanjay Kumar Jain.
The 1st victim of the adulteration, was admitted in Lal Bahadur
Shastri Hospital around 1.30 pm on Tuesday [5 Apr 2011] after he
complained of dizziness and nausea. This victim later suffered a
paralytic attack in hospital. "Prima facie, it appears that his
condition was precipitated due to buckwheat consumption," said
hospital medical superintendent Veer Singh.