Over 100 people in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun have fallen ill after consuming food prepared from “adulterated” Kuttu Atta (buckwheat flour), prompting authorities to seal 22 shops, officials confirmed on Monday.
Mass Food Poisoning During Navratri Fasting
Most of the affected individuals had purchased the flour for Navratri fasting and later experienced severe vomiting, dehydration, dizziness, and abdominal pain, leading to hospitalization.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh provided details of the incident:
“This morning, we received information from hospitals that several patients had come with complaints of dehydration, dizziness, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Later, it was found that over a hundred people were affected. Many of them were found to have eaten food prepared using adulterated Kuttu Atta and subsequently developed symptoms.”
Authorities Seal Shops, Launch Investigation
Following the reports, police launched an investigation and traced the source of the contaminated flour.
“During the preliminary inquiry, it was found that the flour was purchased from different shops. The entire team was alerted, and police, along with the administration, visited the shops from where the flour was bought and seized the remaining stock,” SSP Singh added.
As a precautionary measure, 22 shops linked to affected individuals have been sealed, and samples of the flour have been collected for testing.
Flour Linked to Saharanpur Mill; Action Ordered
Investigations revealed that the adulterated Kuttu Atta was supplied from a flour mill in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered strict action against those responsible for the distribution of the contaminated flour.
“The police team has reached Saharanpur. We are coordinating with the district administration and Saharanpur police,” officials stated. Further action is expected against the mill owner and other individuals involved in the supply chain.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and more details are awaited as the investigation progresses.