Kerala: 25 Hospitalised After Eating At Restaurant In Ernakulam

The police said that 27 people have been hospitalised with symptoms of food poisoning, and their condition is said to be stable.

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New Delhi: More than 25 people were taken to a number of different hospitals in the Ernakulam district on Tuesday after eating at a restaurant in North Paravoor in Kerala, reported news agency PTI. The police said that 27 people have been hospitalised with symptoms of food poisoning, and their condition is said to be stable.

An investigation is underway and a case has been filed against the restaurant's owner.

A police official told PTI that "The number of affected persons may go up."

The incident occurred days after the state government launched a campaign against restaurants and eateries that sell contaminated food, and as a result, local authorities shut down the restaurant.

A dish from the restaurant at the Kottayam Medical College recently resulted in the death of a nurse working there.

In a separate incident, on January 16, a number of students became ill after eating at a hostel in Kottayam. According to the reports, there were no checks made to ensure the safety of the food. Local media reported that on Tuesday, two children and a minor boy allegedly contracted food poisoning after eating at a hotel in Paravur.

The hotel's shutters were taken down by the municipality's health department in the wake of the incident.

After an increase in cases of food poisoning, state health minister Veena George had previously instructed authorities to carry out "widespread" inspections in all 14 districts. 

She has also directed that strict measures be taken against establishments serving adulterated and unsanitary meals or those operating without a license.

The state health minister had directed the Food Safety Department to inspect restaurants across the state and revoke licenses for those that serve adulterated or unsanitary food or cook in unsanitary conditions, according to a press release from the Health Department.

(With PTI Inputs)