Two Mumbai sellers have been detained after a 19-year-old died from devouring chicken shawarma. A complaint has been filed under IPC Sections 304 and 34.
According to media sources, two roadside vendors in Mumbai were detained on Wednesday after a 19-year-old called Prathamesh Bhokse died on Monday after eating chicken shawarma at their Trombay food shop.
According to ANI, quoting police, “the vendors have been identified as Anand Kamble and Mohammad Ahmed Raiza Shaikh.” According to an official statement, the police have opened a criminal investigation and detained two food sellers.
According to the police, a complaint has been launched against the merchants under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Police authorities said that Prathamesh Bhokse, 19, and his uncle Hameed Abbas Syed, 40, both of Maharashtra Nagar, ate shawarma from the food stand on May 3.
Senior inspector Rajesh Shinde informed TOI that after eating the shawarma, he had a stomach ache and began vomiting. His family transported him to a local hospital and administered medication, but his condition did not improve until late afternoon on May 5, when he was transferred to KEM Hospital. He was treated and discharged, but his condition deteriorated on Sunday, and he was readmitted to KEM, where he died on Monday.”
How do I avoid food poisoning?
Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, particularly raw meat, shellfish, and eggs.
Cook Food Thoroughly: Cook all meats, poultry, fish, and eggs to the proper internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to check for doneness.
To avoid cross-contamination, keep raw meat and seafood separate from ready-to-eat items. Use separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables, and always wash your cutlery before using them again.
Be Wary of Leftovers: Store leftovers in airtight containers and consume them within three to four days. Heat leftovers to at least 165°F (74°C) to destroy germs.
Previous instances of shawarma-related food illness
Earlier in October 2023, a young guy from Kochi died from probable food poisoning after eating shawarma at a restaurant in Mavelipuram, Kerala. The 22-year-old’s post-mortem report revealed that he died of septicemia, a serious bloodstream illness.
In April 2022, more than 52 people were unwell, and one died, after eating shawarma at a Cheruvathur restaurant in Kerala. Devananda, a 16-year-old girl, died of food sickness after devouring the meal.
In September 2022, a 14-year-old girl who had eaten chicken shawarma at a restaurant in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, was discovered dead at home. In addition, 43 individuals, including four of the dead girl’s family members, were hospitalized after eating shawarma and developing a high fever, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea.
What is shawarma?
Shawarma is a well-known Middle Eastern dish and popular street food. It is made of thinly sliced meat, usually lamb or chicken, piled into a huge cone shape, and gently roasted on a vertical rotisserie. As the meat flips, the outer layer cooks and is shaved off before serving.
The sliced meat is often wrapped in flatbreads like pita or lavash and served with a variety of toppings and sauces, including tahini, garlic sauce, hummus, pickles, onions, and tomatoes.
