Why Shawarma Turns Toxic For Foodies — Mumbai 19-Year-Old Not The First Victim

'Toxic' Shawarma: In April 2022, more than 52 persons fell sick and one died after eating shawarma from an eatery in Cheruvathur in Kerala. A girl died in Tamil Nadu last year.

A Mumbai youth died after consuming shawarma from a roadside vendor. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Shawarma Death: A 19-year-old youth died in Mumbai after consuming shawarma from a roadside vendor in Mankhurd locality on Monday. The chicken used for the shawarma was reportedly spoilt, which landed the youth — Prathamesh Bhokse — in a hospital with food poisoning. Bhokse was hospitalised after he complained of stomach pain and vomiting. He was discharged from the hospital twice but was admitted again for the third time and died on Tuesday while on treatment.

The local police have registered a case in this regard and arrested the two food vendors — Anand Kamble and Ahmed Sheikh — booking them under various IPC sections, including 34 and 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), the Trombay police said. 

Not The First Time

This is not the isolated incident of death which has been caused due to food poisoning from shawarma.

• In April 2022, more than 52 persons fell sick and one died after eating shawarma from an eatery in Cheruvathur in Kerala. A 16-year-old girl, named Devananda, lost her life after food poisoning after consuming the dish. 
• In September last year, a 14-year-old girl who consumed chicken shawarma at a restaurant in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal was found dead at her residence. Moreover, a total of 43 people, including four of the victim’s family members, were admitted with severe fever, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea after eating the dish.  
• In October 2023, a youth from Kochi died of suspected food poisoning after consuming shawarma from a restaurant at Mavelipuram in Kerala. The post-mortem report of the 22-year-old youth cited the reason for his death as septicaemia, a serious bloodstream infection.

How Is Shawarma Linked To These Deaths?

Experts say that the problem is not in the dish itself, but has a lot to do with the way the ingredients, especially the chicken, are prepared, handled and stored. Food poisoning can occur after eating shawarma because of undercooked meat or improper refrigeration of the meat. 

The sliced meat used for shawarma is slow-roasted for hours using a flame that does not penetrate deep. Therefore, there are chances that many customers might get undercooked meat during rush hours.

“The reasons for food poisoning from shawarma could include inadequate refrigeration, cross-contamination, or the use of undercooked meat, which can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli,” Dr Shuchin Bajaj, a general physician at Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals told The Indian Express.

The improper refrigeration and unhygienic storage could lead to the birth of harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli that can cause serious health issues including food poisoning, according to a report in The Times of India. 

Unhygienic, undercooked or contaminated food and water can be a source of shigella, which can cause an intestinal infection that is very contagious.

Moreover, poor hygiene levels, contaminated utensils, usage of improper sauces or ingredients can lead to serious health conditions. Even leaving out the meat from the fridge for longer period can make it a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. 

Tips for Safely Eating Shawarma

• Choose hygienic and reputable food outlets and vendors with a history of good food safety practices.
• Pay attention to the cleanliness in the hotel and the food handlers.
• Be cautious with the meat, especially, if it is raw or undercooked.