Food poisoning in Kochi: Around 50 fall ill after eating Mandi rice; eatery shut down

Kochi: Nearly 50 people have suffered severe food poisoning after consuming food from a popular Kuzhimanthi (Arabian rice dish) restaurant in Kochi city. Out of the affected individuals, 12 are currently undergoing medical treatment at a private hospital in Kadavanthra, while several others have reportedly sought medical attention at various other healthcare facilities.

The health complications arose after customers dined at the Al Reem Restaurant, located on Thammanam-Pullepady Road, on July 10. Following a barrage of complaints, the Food Safety Department conducted a prompt inspection and ordered the immediate closure of the eatery. The department has also suspended the restaurant's operating licence, confirmed Food Safety Assistant Commissioner Jose Lawrence.

The official noted that although the incident occurred on July 10, formal complaints were only filed on Monday. Following this, the Food Safety Department initiated enforcement action, inspecting the premises and collecting food samples to be sent to laboratories for comprehensive testing.

The restaurant specialises primarily in Kuzhimanthi and Alfaham Mandi. Since customers had travelled from various locations to eat there on the day, the symptoms began manifesting at different times. Most of those affected began experiencing acute physical discomfort, including severe fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, the very next day, forcing them to seek medical aid.

Officials from the Food Safety Department have recorded detailed statements from the victims, including those who remain hospitalised.

Victims realised danger only at the hospital

"We bought Chicken Kuzhimanthi from Al Reem at around 9.00 pm on Friday night and ate it within half an hour of arriving home. It was consumed by myself, my mother, my brother and three guests who were visiting us. By the next day, everyone was down with vomiting and high fever," explained Nice John, a resident of Kaloor.

According to her, her mother was the first to experience severe abdominal pain around Saturday afternoon. By Sunday, the rest of the family members began showing severe symptoms, including relentless vomiting. Nice sought medical care at a Primary Health Centre on Monday, where the attending doctor diagnosed it as a clear case of food poisoning. She added that she learned from the clinic that around 15 other individuals who had dined at the exact same hotel were also receiving treatment there.