Surat restaurant shut down after child dies from suspected food poisoning

SURAT: A restaurant in Surat was shut by the health department after one child died and three others were hospitalised following suspected food poisoning. The Surat Municipal Corporation’s (SMC) health department inspected the restaurant early Tuesday following a complaint about food poisoning, news agency ANI reported. Food safety officer Sejal Vyas said the team found several food items in poor condition and ordered their destruction. “Upon learning of a young girl’s death, we have shut down the entire restaurant,” Vyas said.

According to Vyas, the inspection found items including chana dal that had spoiled, while some vegetables were slightly degraded and had been left uncovered. Paneer was also found exposed. “All these items have been destroyed,” Vyas said. The health department learnt that the affected family had purchased vegetables and other items from the restaurant on August 15, following which they reportedly suffered from food poisoning. The exact cause of the illness and death is yet to be established, ANI reported. The health department is expected to take further action after its investigation.

Vyas said appropriate action would be taken against the restaurant owner under the Food Safety Act. She added that samples collected from the establishment during previous inspections had passed quality tests. The incident comes days after the SMC conducted a late-night food safety drive across Surat. During the operation, civic teams inspected 1,170 establishments and destroyed 376 kg of inedible food. Officials also issued penalties to 616 violators and served 135 notices for food safety, sanitation and solid waste management violations. The SMC has said surprise inspections will continue across the city to check the sale of unsafe food and ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene norms.