Around 200 people reportedly have fallen ill in north-west Delhi after consuming buckwheat flour commonly eaten during Navratri fasting, police said.
The patients were from various areas, including Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park, Samaypur, Bhalswa Dairy, Lal Bagh, and Swaroop Nagar. Police reported that the patients were found stable and no serious case was reported.
Police said that they began receiving calls at the Jahangirpuri police station around 6:10 pm on Tuesday about multiple people falling ill, allegedly after eating food that was prepared using Kuttu atta (Buckwheat flour). The affected were taken to Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital.
Dr Vishesh Yadav, chief medical officer at the BJRM, informed the police that around 150 to 200 people had reported to the emergency ward since the morning. He also said that the situation was under control and all the patients were stable.
Patients' preliminary accounts suggested that the buckwheat flour was sourced from Adarsh Nagar market. Officials said that the food poisoning case triggered anxiety in the locality, especially as a large number of people were observing the fast on Navratri.
One resident said, “Five members of my family fell sick after eating buckwheat I bought from Adarsh Nagar. “We had to rush them to the hospital. This should not be happening during such a sacred time.”
Shopkeepers, vendors, and residents were alerted by the police on the matter through beat staff and public address systems to prevent further panic. The matter was also communicated to the Food Department for further necessary action, including a quality check of the buckwheat flour being sold in the local markets.
"We are coordinating with the Food Department and local health officials. People are being made aware at the community level to ensure public safety," the officer said.
(With inputs from PTI)
