Dr. HR Thimmaiah, the District Health Officer (DHO) of Dakshina Kannada, has warned of legal consequences for an ice cream factory in Adyar if laboratory reports confirm that tender coconut water from the factory is unsafe for consumption. Addressing reporters on Friday, Dr. Thimmaiah disclosed that the health department is awaiting a report on tender coconut water samples collected from the factory.
“We have dispatched the samples to Bengaluru for testing after numerous individuals allegedly fell ill on April 8, purportedly from consuming tender coconut water from the factory. If the laboratory results indicate that the samples are unfit for consumption, legal action will be taken against the factory under Section 59 of the Food Safety Act through a private complaint in the district and sessions court,” stated Dr. Thimmaiah.
Of the affected individuals, 137 have fallen ill, with 84 receiving outpatient treatment at various hospitals and Primary Health Centers (PHCs). Additionally, 53 individuals have been admitted as inpatients, with 23 already discharged, as per Dr. Thimmaiah. He assured that all those who fell sick are in stable condition.
Following a complaint received via WhatsApp on April 10, a health department team promptly visited the factory, collected samples, and sent them for testing. Meanwhile, all outlets of the factory in Mangaluru and the production unit in Adyar have been temporarily shut down until further notice.
Dr. Thimmaiah explained that comprehensive chemical, biochemical, and bacterial analyses will be conducted on the samples to ascertain the cause of contamination. Tests on blood and stool samples collected from patients have ruled out cholera, but further culture tests are ongoing to identify the bacteria responsible for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Dr. Praveen Kumar CH, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) designated officer for Dakshina Kannada, warned that if the lab report indicates substandard quality, the factory will be issued a notice, and the case will be heard in the additional district court. Penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh and a maximum jail term of six years may be imposed on responsible personnel, he added.
In a related development, DK DC Mullai Muhilan MP directed educational institutions with hostels to submit affidavits on the quality of food served. Dr. Thimmaiah noted that 403 hostels in the district have complied with this directive by submitting their affidavits.
